^ "^.-0^ 



< 












^^^ 
/^^. 









'///...-, ^/-.. 



i^\ 



FremaFtiMoqitiph takfn /ust bcjc'y fits .'.v ' 



STONEWALL JACKSON: 



% Pililarg §i00rapl^g. 



BY 

JOHN ESTEN (JOOKE, 

FOEMEBLT OF GENERAL 8 T U A E T ' 8 STAFF. 



APPENDIX, 

CONTAINING PERSONAL REMINISCENCES, AND A FULL ACCOUNT OF 

THE CEREMONIES ATTENDING THE UNVEILING OF FOLEY'S 

STATUE, INCLUDING THE ORATION BY 

MOSES D. HOGE, D. D., 

BY 

Rev. J. Wm. JONES, D. D., 

AtrXHOK OF "PEE80NAL EEMINI80EN0E9 OF GENEEAL LEE." 



IV.'TII MAPS, PORTRAITS, AND A VIEW OF FOLEY'S STATUS. 



NEW YORK; 
D. APPLETON AND COMPANY, 

549 AND 551 BROADWAY. 
1876. 



t' 



, ,. r 



.5'^ 



G^-' 



Ektebed, according to Act of Congress, in the year 18C0, by 

D. APPLETON & COMPANY, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern 

District of New York. 



Entebed, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1S75, by 

D. APPLETON & COMPANY, 

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at "Washington. 



CONTENTS 



PART I. 



FEOM HIS CHILDHOOD TO THE BATTLE OF MANASSA3. 



Chap. I. — Country Boy and Constable. . 
n. — Cadet at West Point, 

ni. — Lieutenant of ArtUlery in Mexico, . . 

IV. — Professor at Lexington, 
V. — Jacksou is appointed Colonel of Volunteers, 
VL— The VaUey, . . 

VIL— The First Brigade, . . . . 

Vlll. — Johnston Eetreats, 
IX.— The "Affair at FalUng Waters," 
X. — Johnston leaves the Valley, 
XI. — Advance of the Grand Army, . 
XII. — Manassas, . . . . . 



12 
14 
19 
34 
39 
41 
44 
49 
53 
59 
63 



PART II. 

THE CAMPAIGN OF THE VALLEY. 

Chat. I.— The Autumn of 1861, 

II. — Jackson's Farewell Address to his Brigade, 
III. — Jackson's Plan, .... 

IV. — The Winter March to Romney, 



11 
82 
86 
88 



CONTENTS. 



Chap. V. — Jackson falls back from Winchester, 
VI. — Kernatown, 
VII. — Behind the Scenes, . 
Vin.— McDoweU, 
IX. — Jackson flanks his Adversary, 
X. — General Banks Retreats, . 
XI. — ^Winchester, . 
Xn.— The Lion in the Toils, . 
Xni.— Out of the Meshes, . 
XIV.— The Death of Ashby, 
XV. — Jackson narrowly escapes Capture, 
XVI.— Cross Keys, 
XVn.— Port Republic, 
XVIII.— Jackson in June, 1862, . 



PAOB 

98 
107 
119 
124 
137 
14t 
1-19 
154 
162 
167 
176 
181 
186 
193 



PART III. 

FEOM POET EEPUBLIO TO CHAN0ELL0E8VILLE. 

Chap. I.—" General T. J. Jackson, Somewhere," . . .200 

TI.— On the Chickahominy, ..... 206 

III.— Cold Harbor, . . . . . .214 

IV. — General McClellan retreats to James River, . . 227 

v.— Malvern Hill, . . . . . .233 

VI. — ^Federal Accounts of the Retreat, . . . 238 

Vn.- The end of the Drama, . . . . .245 

Vin. — General Pope in Culpepper, ... . . 249 

IX.— Cedar Run, , . . . . . .264 

X. — Jackson Pursues, ..... 263 

XI. — General Lee advances from the Rapidan, . . . 267 

XIL — ^The March to Manassas, ..... 274 

XIIL— Jackson at Bay, . . . . .284 

XIV.— Manassas, August 29, 1862, .... 288 

XV.— The Second Battle of Manassas, . . .295 

XVL — Oxhill, or Germantown, . . . . . . 303 



CONTENTS. 



PAGB 

Chap. XVII. — General Lee enters Maryland, .... 307 

XVIII. — Boonsboro' and Crampton's Gap, . . . Bll 

XIX.— Capture of Harper's Ferry, . . . .320 

XX. — Sharpsburg, or Antietam, . . . . 327 

XXL— Shepherdstown, . . . .343 

XXIL— The Campaign, ..... 345 

XXin. — General Lee's Address to his Army, . . . 347 

XXrV. — Jackson and his Veterans Resting, . . . 349 

XXV.— General McClellan Advances, . . . .356 

XXVI.— Jackson halts, ..... 362 

XXVII.— Change of Commanders, ... 365 

XXVIIL— Fredericksburg, ... 368 

XXIX. — General Bumside attempts a last Advance, . . 379 

XXX. — Jackson at Fredericksburg, .... 384 

XXXI.— Winter Quarters at Moss Neck, . . . .388 

XXXII. — Federal preparations for the Campaign of 1863, . 394 

XXXIIL— The Campaign Opens, . . . . .397 

XXXIV.— General Hooker Advances, .... 401 

XXXV.— In the Wilderness, . . . . .404 

XXXVI.— Chancellorsville, ..... 411 

XXXVIL— The Result of Jackson's Movement, . . 429 

XXXVm— " It is All Right," 438 

TXXTX . — Jackson's Remains taken to Lexington,. . 445 

XL. — Jackson the Soldier and the Man, . . 450 



APPENDIX. 

BY EEV. J. W. JONES, D. D. 

Personal Reminiscences and Anecdotes . ■ . . . 467 
Proceedings attending the Unveiling of the Bronze Statue of Jack- 
son — the Gift of England to Virginia — at Richmond, October 

26, 1875 514 

Oration by Rev. Moses D. Hoge, D, D. . . . . 556 

The Spirit of the Press . . .... 573 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



PORTRAITS ON- STEEL. 
General Stonewall Jackson. - General Hooker. 



General Egbert E. Lee. - 
General J. E. Johnston. - 
General Hood. - 
General McClelian. - 
General McDowell. 



General Beauregard. - 
General Longstreet. - 
General Ewell. - 
General Pope. - 
General A. P. Hill. 



General J. E. B. Stuart. 



MAPS. 



Portion of the Valley of Virginia. Battle of Sharpsburq. " 
Battle of Port Eepublic. - Battle of Chancellorsvillb. 

Battle of Cold Harbor. - Battle of Manassas. - 



ILLUSTRATIONS ON WOOD. 

ItASt Meeting of Generals Lee and Stonewall Jackson. 
View of Foley's Statue of Jackson. 



STONEWALL JACKSON. 



PAET I. 

FROM HIS CHILDHOOD TO THE FIRST BATTLE OF MANASSAa 



CHAPTER I. 

COUNTRY BOY AND COKSTABLE. 

The Jackson family came from England to Virginia in the 
last century. Jolin Jackson, the first of whom we have men- 
tion, settled near "Weston, in Lewis County, beyond the Alle- 
ghanies, and his son Edward became county surveyor, and 
served ia the Legislature. Jonathan, the son of Edward Jack- 
son, settled in the town of Clarksburg in Harrison County, 
where he commenced the practise of the law, and married Miss 
Neal of Wood County. Of his four childi'en by this marriage, 
two sons and two daughters, Thomas Jonathan, born at Clarks- 
burg, Januaiy 21, 1824, was the youngest. 

The events of Jackson's life up to the commencement of the 
late war are not sufficiently interesting to justify very extended 
notice, but some particulars deserve to be recorded. The Jack- 
sons did not belong to the class of planters, living in luxury and 
elegance on the seaboard, but to that energetic, intelligent, and 
thrifty population which settled in Western Virginia. In the 



10 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSCN. 

first generation they cleared the laad, estahlished mills, and 
tilled the soil. In succeeding generations they were lawyers, 
judges, memhers of the Legislature, and soldiers, filling offices 
of usefulness, and occasionally of distinction. Their manners 
were plain, their houses and style of living unpretending, but the 
class to which the family belonged was justly regarded as one 
of the most intelligent and respectable in the Commonwealth. 

Jonathan Jackson practised law for many years with suc- 
cess, and became a thriving citizen, but his latter years were 
overshadowed by misfortune. His wife died, and the amiable 
gentleman having become security for needy friends, found all the 
hard-earned profits of his profession swept away. "Wlien he died 
in 1827, be left his children penniless. Jackson was then three 
years old. The child was thus left, upon the very threshold of 
life, to learn the hard lesson of poverty. It is the old story which 
meets us at the commencement of many a great career, and need 
not be dwelt upon. The boy was taken to the house of a Dutch 
farmer, his uncle-in-law, who probably did not make an agree- 
able impression upon him, as he soon ran aAvay and took refuge 
with a kind aunt, the wife of Judge Allen of the Court of Ap- 
peals. It is said that when the lady gently chid the forlorn 
young runaway, and urged him to return to his uncle, he replied, 
with great calmness and decision, " Maybe I ought, ma'am, 
but / am not going to." Another uncle, Cummings E. Jackson, 
now came to his succor, and took him to the old family home- 
stead near "Weston. Here he remained until he was sixteen, 
acquiring the rudiments of a plain English education at an old 
field school, and assisting his uncle in the labors of the farm. 
His subsequent acquisitions were all due to the hours spent in 
study at West Point and Lexington. 

The character of the boy at this time seems to have been 
earnest and energetic. At sixteen he had secured so high a rep- 
utation for intelligence and probity, that the Justices of the 
County Court of Lewis elected him constable, the duties of 
which office he performed with credit and efficiency. It is prob- 
aljle> however, that the position did not please him, and hearing 



COHNTET BOY AND CONSTABLE. H 

that there was a vacancy at "West Point, he at once determined 
to apply for the appointment. This intention was expressed to 
a friend, Colonel J. M. Bennett, who urged the high standard 
of studies at the great pubKc school, and asked the boy if he 
had prepared himself. Jackson's reply was, " I am very igno- 
rant, but I can make it up by study. I know I have the energy, 
and I think I have the intellect." 

This reply pleased Colonel Bennett so much that he at once 
sat down and wrote a letter of introduction to the representative 
of the district in Congress, lu'ging him to assist the youth, and 
with this letter in his pocket Jackson resigned his office of con- 
stable and set out for Washington. An incident of this jour- 
ney indicated how much importance he attached to the observ- 
ance of his promises. He borrowed a friend's horse to ride to 
Clarksburg, where he expected to take the stage, promising to 
leave the animal at a certain stable in the town, but upon reach- 
ing the place found that the stage was several miles upon its 
way. This was a serious disappointment to the ardent youth, 
and a friend, seeing his trouble, urged him to ride to the next 
town, where he could come up with the vehicle, promising to 
send after the borrowed horse and return him to his owner. 
The temptation to accept this offer was great. The roads were 
ancle deep in mud, and the stage rapidly rolling on its way ; the 
only obstacle was his promise to leave the horse at Clarksburg. 
He declined the friendly offer, delivered the horse at the ap- 
pointed place, and shouldering his baggage set off on foot through 
the mud to catch the stage. He came up with it, and proceeded 
to "Washington. This occurred in June, 1842. Jackson's ap- 
plication was successful, and on the first of July in the same 
year he was admitted a cadet at "West Point. 



12 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

CHAPTER II. 

CADET AT WEST POINT. 

Such is a glimpse of Jackson, the orphan boy, at home in 
Virginia. "We have next to look upon the country-bred youth, 
clad in the neat uniform of the West Point cadet, and making 
indefatigable exertions to keep up with his class. His studies 
were algebra, geometry, and French, and in the same class with 
him were Generals McClellan, Foster, Reno, Stoneman, Couch, 
and Gibbon of the United States army afterwards, and Gener- 
als A. P. Hill, Pickett, Maury, D. R. Jones, W. D. Smith, and 
Wilcox of the Confederate States army. 

It may encourage others to know that his progress was slow. 
At the end of the first year his standing in a class of seventy 
was 45 in mathematics, 70 in French, and 51 in general merit, 
with 15 demerits. During the second year he made visible 
pi'Ogress, however. At the examination he stood 18 in mathe- 
matics, 52 in French, 68 in drawing, 55 in engineering, and 30 
in general merit, with 26 demerits. At the end of his final year 
he was 12 in engineering, 5 in ethics, 11 in artillery, 21 in 
infantry tactics, 11 in mineralogy and geology ; had 7 demer- 
its, and his graduating standing, including all previous draw- 
backs, was 17. His "general standing" in his first year had 
been 51 ; in his second 30 ; in his third 20 ; in his fourth it was 
17. One of his companions declared, Avilh apparent justice, that 
if ho remained four years longer he would graduate at the head 
of his class. This progress had been the result of hard study. 
Of genius, in any form, we find no traces in him at this period. 
All was resolute toil. He did not penetrate the subject before 
him at a glance, but mastered it by laborious application, break- 
ing the obdurate husk only by incessant blows. Every hour 
brought progress. What he once acquired was drilled into his 
mind, and every step which he ascended was solid under his feet. 



CADET AT WEST POINT. 13 

Of the youth's personal appearance and deportment at this 
period of his life some traits are remembered. He was not 
social in his habits, and made no figure in society. His natural 
character and his position in life were both opposed to the fun, 
frolic, and abandon of the volatile youths at great public schools. 
He had come to West Point to secure an education which would 
enable him to rise from his " low estate " of dependence upon 
his relations, or the distasteful drudgery of his office of consta- 
ble, and from this great object he permitted no social enjoy- 
ments to divert him. The self-denial was not difficult, however. 
Jackson was not fond of society, and made no impression in it. 
He was neither gay nor witty, and had little or no humor. In 
character and appearance he was sedate and earnest ; in man- 
ner shy and ungraceful. The recollection is stUl preserved of 
many of his personal peculiarities — ^his simplicity and absence 
of suspicion when all around him were laughing at some of his 
odd ways ; his grave expression and air of innocent inquiry 
when some jest excited general merriment, and he could not see 
the point ; his solitary habits and self-contained deportment ; 
his absence of mind, awkwardness of gait, and evident indiffer- 
ence to every species of amusement. These eccentricities at- 
tracted attention, and were the subjects of jesting comment ; but 
this comment was not ill-natured. The kindness and simplicity 
of the hard-working youth seem to have made him many friends, 
and disarmed all hostility. 

In relation to his intellectual faculties, his associates are 
unanimous in declaring that he exhibited no indications what- 
ever of his futui'e career. They gave him credit for an amount 
of industry and energy which would enable him to accomplish 
much, but there is nothing to show that his most intimate friends 
at this time suspected him of possessing any thing resembling 
military genius. 



14 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

CHAPTER ni. 

LIEUTENANT OF ARTILLERY IN MEXICO. 

Jackson graduated and received the appointment of brevet 
second lieutenant of artillery on July 1, 1846. He left West 
Point at a fortunate moment. The United States were at war 
with Mexico. All the roving and adventurous classes of so- 
ciety swarmed toward the Rio Grande, fired by the fancy of 
picturesque warfare in a romantic country ; and it is probable 
that Jackson, then but twenty-two, shared this general excite- 
ment. He was assigned to the First Regiment of United States 
Artillery, then serving under General Taylor in Mexico, and 
proceeded immediately to join his command. It is known that 
he had a strong desire for active service, but this craving was 
not for some time gratified. The regiment remained inactive 
until the spring of 1847 ; but active operations tlien commenced, 
and the battery to which Jackson was attached was sent to take 
part in the assault on Vera Cruz. About the same time he re- 
ceived his appointment as second lieutenant, and commanded a 
battery of siege guns during the bombardment. His conduct 
imder fire for the first time must have been creditable. In 
August, for " gallant and meritorious conduct at the siege 
of Vera Cruz," he was promoted to the rank of first lieu- 
tenant. 

After the fall of this fortress, the American army advanced 
upon the city of Mexico. All Jackson's aspirations now pointed 
to a position in the light artillery. The command of heavy 
guns did not suit his temperament, and his preference for ser- 
vice in the field was soon gratified. Captain John B. Magruder 
led the storming party at Cerro Gordo and captured a Mexican 
battery, which General Scott thereupon presented to him as 
a reward for his gallantry ; and Jackson immediately applied 
ibr a position under Magruder. 



LIEUTENANT OF AETILLEEY IN MEXICO. 15 

" I wanted to see active service," he said in after years, " to 
be near the enemy and in the fight ; and when I heard that 
John Magruder had got his battery, I bent all my energies to 
be with him, for I knew if any fighting was to be done, Ma- 
gruder would be ' on hand.' " 

He succeeded in securing his transfer, and took a prominent 
part in the assault on the enemy's intrenched camp at Con- 
treras, and in the stubborn struggle which followed at Chur- 
ubusco. " My fire was opened," wrote Captain Magruder, 
" and continued with great rapidity for about an hour. In a 
few moments Lieutenant Jackson, commanding the second sec- 
tion of the battery, who had opened a fire upon the enemy's works 
from a position on the right, hearing our own fire still further 
in front, advanced in handsome style, and kept up the fire with 

great briskness and effect Lieutenant Jackson's conduct 

was equally conspicuous throughout the whole day, and I cannot 
too highly commend him to the major-general's favorable con- 
sideration." 

This report was addressed to " Captain J. Hooker, A. A. G.," 
afterwards General Hooker. 

In the report of General Twiggs the young lieutenant was 
mentioned for " gallant services ; " and for " gallant and meri- 
torious conduct in the battles of Contreras and Churubusco," he 
was brevetted captain. On the 8th of September came the vic- 
tory of El Molino del Rey ; and on the 13th the city of Mexico 
was stormed and taken. 

Jackson had borne his fair share of the toils and dangers of 
the campaign, and had secm'ed high commendation. The source 
and character of this commendation^ place his merit beyond 
question. General Scott twice mentioned him in his report, and 
declared that he had " gained merited praise." General Worth 
wrote : " After advancing some four hundred yards we came to 
a battery which had been assailed by a portion of Magruder's 
field-guns — particularly the section under the gallant Lieutenant 
Jackson, who, although he had lost most of his horses and many 
of his men, continued chivakously at his post, combating with 



IG LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

noble courage." General Pillow wrote : " Captain Magruder's 
, field-battery, one section of which was served with great gal- 
lantry by himself, and the other by his brave lieutenant, Jackson, 
in the face of a galling fire from the enemy's intrenched posi- 
tions, did valuable service preparatory to the general assault. . . 
The advanced section of the battery, under the command of the 
brave Lieutenant Jackson, was dreadfully cut up and almost 
disabled." Captain Magruder made mention of the young man's 
services throughout his report, and wrote : " I beg leave to call 
the attention of the major-general commanding the division to 
the conduct of Lieutenant Jackson of the First Artillery. If 
devotion, industry, talent, and gallantry are the highest qualities 
of a soldier, then he is entitled to the distinction which their 
profession confers." 

This warm testimony to the young soldier's skill and courage 
was not disregarded. For " gallant and meritorious conduct in 
the battle of Chepultepec, September 13, 1847," he was bre- 
vetted major. In less than a year he had risen from brevet sec- 
ond lieutenant to brevet major, distinguishing himself so greatly 
in every action as to attract the attention, and secure the espe- 
cial notice of his generals, including the commander-in-chief. 
"The brave Lieutenant Jackson" — "The gallant Lieutenant 
Jackson" — his "devotion, industry, talent, and gallantry" — 
these tributes to his merits as a soldier had been showered upon 
him by some of the bravest and most famous ofiicers of the 
army ; and such praise must have thrilled to the very depths of 
a heart, at that time, if not afterwards, passionately sensitive to 
military glory. 

An incident, Avhich appears to rest upon good authority, will 
serve to convey an idea of the young lieutenant's coolness and 
nerve. His section had opened fire on the enemy's intrench- 
ments, and drawn upon itself a whirlwind of iron which tore 
man and horse to pieces. Men fell around the guns at every 
moment, and the fire of the enemy at last became so terrible 
tliat the bravest of the cannoneers fled from the pieces. Only 
Jackson and n sergeant were left, and dismounting, the youthful 



LIEUTENANT OF AETILLEEY IN MEXICO. 17 

lieutenant took the sponge staff, and, with the assistance of his 
sergeant, began to load and fire with immovable phlegm and 
coolness. He was thus engaged when Magruder rode up and 
ordered him to withdraw his guns ; but against this Jackson 
strongly remonstrated. He could hold his ground, he declared, 
and if General Worth would only send him fifty regulars, he 
would silence the enemy's batteries and render their capture 
easy. Magruder acquiesced, the men were sent, and Jackson 
immediately advanced his section, opening with a more rapid 
and destructive fire than before. The opposing batteries were 
silenced, the works were charged, and the American troops were 
soon occupying them. 

On another occasion when his men ran from the pieces, and 
crouched behind a bank for shelter from a heavy fire of artillery, 
Jackson is said to have advanced into the open space, which was 
every moment being ploughed up with shot and shell, calling out 
with great coolness, " Come on ! This is nothing. You see they 
can't hurt me ! " 

Long after the war, in 1858, a gay youth at Lexington 
asked Jackson one day if one of these anecdotes was true, and 
receiving a reply in the affirmative, added : 

" That was a very hot place, wasn't it. Major? " 

" Yes, very hot," was the reply. 

" Why didn't you run. Major ! " asked another as the laugh 
ran round the cii'cle. With a smile Jackson replied : 

" I was not ordered to do so. If I had been ordered to run, 
I would have done so ; but I was directed to hold my position, 
and I had no right to abandon it." 

Such was the explanation of the ex-artillerist ; but we sus- 
pect that the character of his audience, or self-deception, led him 
to dwell too exclusively on the motive of duty. That motive 
may have been controlling with him, and the question of his 
young pupil gave him an excellent opportunity to enlarge upon 
it, and " point a moral." But behind the composed mask of the 
grave Lexing-ton professor we think we can discern the grim 
smile of the artillerist of Contreras, Churubusco, and Chepul- 
2 



18 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

tepcc. Whatever may have been the sentiment of Major Jack- 
son of the Virginia Military Institute, Lieutenant Jackson of the 
United States Army in Mexico loved fighting. He loved it to 
the last with all his piety and kindliness ; and for the simple rea- 
son that his organization was essentially dominant, combative, 
delighting in antagonism. Until greatly changed by religious 
feeling, he seems to have loved fighting for its OAvn sake ; and it 
is certain that he performed his military duties in Mexico with 
the greatest gusto. He docs not seem at that time to have been 
at all pious. He was a young soldier leading a soldier's life, in 
the atmosphere of the camp ; busy with many things ; full of 
ambition ; in good healtli ; and delighted with this " best of all 
possible worlds " in which he had become a major of artillery 
at the age of twenty-three. To have his battery in readiness 
for action at a moment's notice — to got the best position, stand 
to his guns, do the enemy the largest amount of damage, and 
thereby secure "honorable mention" and a brevet — ^this was 
probably regarded as the chief end of man by the young and 
ardent artillerist. 

It may be said that there was nothing very grand about all 
this ; but it is something to be a good soldier, and Jackson cer- 
tainly Avas such. He worked hard in camp, and fought hard in 
the field. iQeyolion, industry, talent, and gallantry are not pos- 
sessed by every one ; but Magrudcr, who knew Jackson inti- 
mately, declared that he possessed them. 

He was more than a good soldier afterwards — he was a very 
great man. But that was when a sublimer thirst than that for 
human glory had made him a true " Soldier of the Cross." 



PBOFESSOE AT LEXINGTON. 19 

CHAPTER IV. 

PROFESSOR AT LEXINGTON. 

The capture of the city of Mexico ended the war, and peace 
was soon declared between the two countries. 

The United States forces were withdrawn, and we next hear 
of Major Jackson in Florida, where the remnant of the Indian 
tribes formerly inhabiting that region still carried on hostilities 
against the Government. Here his health gave way. He had 
never been a person of very robust constitution, though capable 
of enduring great fatigue, and the swampy airs of Florida soon 
told upon a frame subjected to a heavy strain in the campaigns 
of Mexico. 

This feeble state of health was probably the main reason 
which induced him to accept a proposition made to him early in 
the year 1851, to become a candidate for the chair of Natural 
and Experimental Philosophy at the Virginia Military Institute. 
This step involved a relinquishment of all the dreams of military 
glory which had so long filled his mind. He was called upon to 
bid farewell to that " pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious 
war" which he loved ; to hang up the sword battered in glorious 
encounter ; to close his eyes to all the bright hopes of the future ; 
and, his " occupation gone," settle down into a simple professor, 
drilling knowledge into the minds of his pupils year after year, 
with no wars, no battles, no thunder of the cannon any more. 
It must have been a hard struggle with the young soldier. The 
cainp had now become his home : the service his chosen occu- 
pation, in which were centred all his joys and aspirations. 
He must consent to sever at a single blow the tie so firmly knit : 
to commence life afresh, and bending all his energies in a differ- 
ent direction, make usefulness his aim, no longer military glory. 
His health, or other circumstances, however decided him. He 
wrote ft'ora Fort Meade, Florida, February 25, 1851, to Colonel 



20 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

(now General) Francis H. Smith, superintendent of the institute, 
acquiescing in the proposition to bring his name before the Board 
of Visitors, and said : " Though strong ties bind me to the army, 
yet I cannot consent to decline so flattering an offer." Other 
names had been submitted to the Board by the Faculty of West 
Point, all distinguished for high scholarship and gallant services 
— among them Generals McClellan, Reno, and Rosecrans, of 
the Northern army, and General G. W. Smith of the Confed- 
erate army. McClellan, Reno, Rosecrans, Jackson ! Such was 
the occasion upon which these afterwards celebrated athletes 
came in collision. The Virginian unhorsed all his opponents, 
and, March 28, 1851, was elected. 

We have stated that the condition of Jackson's health was 
probably the controlling motive for his relinquishment of active 
service in the field. It is proper to add, however, that he stated 
to his intimates that one of his objects was to keep his mind 
fresh, especially in artillery tactics, in order to " embrace any 
opportunity that might offer, for obtaining command in the 
event of war." Whether he then contemplated the great col- 
lision between the North and the South, is not stated. The au- 
thority for the above statement adds : " He seemed to feel that 
he wa3 bom for command ; " but at a later period, these martial 
longings are said to have greatly diminished. He had become 
a professor of religion, and " would have engaged in no military 
service but one really defensive ; and while desirous of honorable 
regard, his great aim was duty — good to be done — an approving 
conscience, and the glory of God." 

On the 1st of September, 1851, Major Jackson entered upon 
his duties as Professor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy 
and Instructor of Artillery in the Virginia Military Institute 
near Lexington. Whatever doubts he may have had about his 
new duties, there could be no doubt that the locality was a 
change for the better. Lexington is a to^NTi situated in the 
county of Rockbridge, in the Valley of Virginia, surrounded by 
blue mountains, and in the midst of smiling fields. Nowhere 
can be found a purer air, or a more charming landscape. It 



PEOFESSOK AT LEXINGTON. 21 

was a good exchange for the miasmatic atmosphere of the low 
grounds of Florida, fruitful in fevers, and stealing away the life 
of the unacclimated stranger. Such was Jackson's new home, 
and life must have had a gay and smiling appearance to him 
there from the beginning. We know that the region soon 
became dearer to him than all others. 

Here were spent the most tranquil and serenely happy hours 
of a manhood which commenced and ended amid the storms of 
battle ; and here were first revealed to him the full glory and 
sublimity of that faith in God, which soon became the master 
element of his being. At Lexington he was happy as husband, 
father, friend, and citizen ; and to this spot of earth the rigid 
form of the dead soldier, was sent back, and, borne on a caisson 
of the cadet battery, committed to the earth. He had asked 
them to bury him there, to let his bones repose in the dear 
earth to which his thoughts recurred with so much tenderness. 
On his death-bed, when his hours were numbered, and his spirit 
drifted slowly toward eternity, the pale lips opened, and he mur- 
mured in a whisper : 

" Bury me in Lexington, in the Valley of Virginia ! " 

Two important events mark this period of Jackson's life — 
his marriage and profession of religion. He married Miss 
Junkin, daughter of the Rev. Dr. Junkin, President of Washing- 
ton College. This lady did not long survive her marriage, and 
her only child, a daughter, died in infancy. Several years 
after the death of his first wife he was again married to Miss 
Morrison of North Carolina. By this marriage he had one 
child, Julia, born a few months before his death. 

Jackson became a member of the Presbyterian church of 
the town, then under the charge of an excellent old man, the 
Eev. Dr. White. The circumstances leading to this public pro- 
fession of Christian faith are unknown to the present writer ; 
but it is certain that he speedily became an active and prominent 
member of the church, and filled, during his residence at Lex- 
ington, important secular positions in it. Every Sunday, with 
military regularity, the figure of the Professor was seen in his 



22 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

pew at the Presbyterian churcli, hymn-book in hand, his ear- 
nest countenance turned up to the pulpit with close attention. 
Religious duties soon became the controlling occupation of his 
life ; the society of good men and women his chief relaxation 
and greatest source of pleasure. All who know any thing of 
Jackson, and observed him in private then and during his 
l^criod of command iu the field thereafter, will remember the 
marked preference which he displayed for the society of clergy- 
men, and the childlike fondness, almost tenderness, which he 
exhibited toward the pious ladies whom he encountered on his 
marches. Ilis reputation as an earnest and devoted Christian 
had singularly endeared him to these gray-haired matrons, and 
he repaid their attentions with a respect and deference which 
was'beautiful to behold. The present writer has seen him, after 
a long and exhausting march, when he had scarcely tasted food 
for twenty- four hours, forget the tempting supper before him, 
and give his whole attention to the aged lady who sat beside 
him. This spectacle was familiar to those who lived with him. 
Strangers may have found in it a topic for amusement and jests ; 
but to the writer of these pages it seemed indicative of that sim- 
plicity and goodness which were the natural instincts of his 
character. 

Any discussion of the peculiar religious views of Jackson must 
be left to abler hands than those of the present writer. He was 
popularly spoken of as a " fatalist" — which means, if it means 
any thing, one who believes that ^vhat will he, will be. It is 
sufficient to say of Jackson that he Avas a member of the Presby- 
terian Church, and strongly embraced the doctrines of predesti- 
nation and Providential supervision. It has been said that he 
cherished an unfailing " confidence in his destiny," and believed 
that he had " a distinct mission of duty in which he should be 
spared for the ends of Providence." This may be true ; but it 
is certain that his motto was, '' Do your duty, and leave the rest 
to God." His faith was not speculative, but practical and liv- 
ing. His earnestness of temperament was carried into religious 
afiairs, and he was averse to all sentiment which did not [trove 



PKOFESSOR AT LEXINGTON. 23 

its genuineness by action. With him his Christian faith was a 
practical influence, shaping his habits and life. The reality of 
his feeling was shown every day, and no adverse influences 
seemed to affect it. In camp and surrounded by the many dis- 
tracting cares of command his habits of meditation and prayer 
remained unaltered, and he was as devout an observer of re- 
ligious exercises as in the days of peace. He was generally 
regarded as sectarian in his views, and one of his nicknames 
was "■' The Blue Light Elder." But this popular belief seems to 
have been entirely erroneous. He was a devoted but not 
bigoted member of the Presbyterian Church ; and a most intelli- 
gent staff oificer, long serving near his person, assured the 
present writer that he had no such exclusive feeling whatever. 
A letter to Dr. Hoge on the subject of army chaplains, in the 
spring of 1863, is a strong proof of this ; and those who were 
thrown in personal contact with him during his military career, 
will not easily be convinced that his just, liberal, and Catholic 
intellect could have hampered itself within the narrow bounda- 
ries of sectarianism. 

We pass now to his personal traits and habits. Well-mean- 
ing persons have drawn a wholly incorrect likeness of Jackson 
at this period of his life. Misled by admiration, and yielding to 
the temptation to eulogy, they have bestowed upon Professor 
Jackson every moral and physical grace, and even his eccentrici- 
ties have been toned down into winning ways, original and 
characteristic, which only made their possessor more graceful 
and charming than before. We are sorry to say that this is all 
fancy. Jackson was the farthest possible removed from any 
thing graceful ; and as the first merit of any biography is ac- 
curacy, we shall endeavor to lay before the reader a truthful 
sketch of the real form seen moving to and fro, on the streets of 
Lexington, between the years 1851 and 1861. 

It was the figure of a tall, gaunt, awkward individual, wear- 
ing a gray uniform, and apparently moving by separate and dis- 
tinct acts of volition. This stiff and unbending figure passed 
over the ground vnth a sort of stride, as though measuring the 



24 LEFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

distance from ooe given point to another ; and those who followed 
its curious movements, saw it pause at time's, apparently from 
having reached the point desired. The eyes of the individual at 
such moments were fixed intently upon the ground ; his lips 
moved in soliloquy ; the absent and preoccupied gaze and gen- 
eral expression of the features, plainly showed a profound un- 
consciousness of " place and time." It was perfectly obvious 
that the mind of the military-looking personage in the gray coat, 
was busy upon some problem entu-ely disconnected from his 
actual surroundings. The fact of his presence at Lexington^ m 
the commonwealth of Virginia, had evidently disappeared from 
his consciousness ; the figures moving around him were mere 
phantasmagoria : he had travelled in search of some principle 
of philosophy, or some truth in theology, quite out of the real, 
workaday world, and deep into the land of dreams. If you 
spoke to him at such times, he awoke as it were from sleep, 
and looked into your face with an air of simplicity ant^ inquiry, 
which sufficiently proved the sudden transition which he had 
made from the world of thought to that of reality. 

In lecturing to his class, his manner was grave, earnest, full 
of military brevity, and destitute of all the graces of the speaker. 
Business-like, systematic, somewhat stern, with an air of rigid 
rule, as though the matter at issue was of the utmost importance, 
and he was entrusted with the responsibility of seeing that duo 
attention was paid to it — he did not make a very favorable im- 
pression upon the volatile youths who sat at the feet of this 
military Gamaliel. They listened decorously to the grave Pro- 
fessor, but, once dismissed from his presence, took their revenge 
by a thousand jests upon his peculiarities of mind and demeanor. 
Ilis oddities Avere the subject of incessant jokes : his eccentric 
ways were dwelt upon with aH the eloquence and sarcastic gusto 
which characterize the gay conversation of young men discussing 
an unpopular teacher. No idiosyncrasy of the Professor was lost 
siglit of. His stiff, angular figure ; the awkward movement of 
his body ; his absent and " grum " demeanor ; his exaggerated 
aad a])parcntlv absurd devotion to military regularity ; his weari- 



PKOFESSOK AT LEXINGTON. 25 

some exactions of a similar observance on their part : — that 
general oddity, eccentricity, and singularity in moving, talking, 
thinking, and acting peculiar to himself — all these were described 
on a thousand occasions, and furnished unfailing food for laughter. 
They called hito " Old Tom Jackson ; " and pointing significantly 
to their foreheads, said he was " not quite right there." Some in- 
clined to the belief that he was only a great eccentric ; but others 
declared him " crazy." Those who had experienced the full 
weight of his Professional baton — who had been reprimanded be- 
fore the class, or " reported" to the superintendent for punishment 
or dismissal — called him " Fool Tom Jackson." 

These details are not very heroic, and detract considerably 
from that dignified outline which eulogistic writers upon Jack- 
son have drawn. But they are true. Nothing is better estab- 
lished than the fact that the man to whom General Lee wrote, 
" Could I have directed events, I should have chosen for the 
good of the country to have been disabled in your stead," and 
of whom the London Times said, " That mixture of daring and 
judgment, which is the mark of ' Heaven born' Generals, dis- 
tinguished him beyond any man of his time" — nothing is more 
certain, we say, than that this man was sneered at as a fool, and 
on many occasions stigmatized as insane. 

It is doubtless true, however, that some of the youths, of 
more generous disposition or penetrating judgment, did not share 
in this general opinion. They saw in the young Professor orig- 
inality rather than eccentricity of mind. They could acknowl- 
edge the peculiarities of his views and opinions, and the singu- 
larity of some of his habits, without sharing the popular 
impression that some wheel or crank of his mental machinery 
was out of order. Upon one point, however, there seems to 
have been a general concurrence : the young teacher's possession 
of an indomitable fearlessness and integrity in the discharge of 
every duty. His worst enemies never ventured to say that he 
did not walk the straight path of right, and administer his offi- 
cial duties without fear, favor, or affection. They were forced 
to recognize the fact that this stiff military machine measured 



2G LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

out justice to all alike, irrespective of persons, and could not be 
turned aside from the direct course by any influences around 
hira. The cadets laughed at him, but they were afraid of hira. 
They agreed, by common consent, that it was time thrown away 
to write excuses for a " report" made by Major Jackson. The 
faculty, from long experience, had come to understand that 
when Major Jackson reported a cadet he deserved punishment, 
and the consequence was that although the young men derided 
his peculiarities, and laughed in private at his odd ways, they 
felt that he was their master, and yielded full obedience to his 
orders. 

Such \\'as the ex-artillerist turned professor. From his 
functions of professor in the school-room he would pass to those 
of instructor of artUlery on the parade gi'ound. Here he was 
more in liis element. He was called upon to teach the myster- 
ies of that arm of the service which he loved above all others ; 
and the proficiency of the cadets in drill and all the evolutions 
of tlie battery was soon a subject of remark. Jackson took 
great interest in these drills, especially when blank cartridges 
were used. " An ex-Cadet," in his interesting account of this 
portion of Jackson's life, says : " As soon as the sound of the 
guns woxild fall upon his ears, a change would seem to come 
over Major Jackson. He would grow more erect ; the grasp 
upon his sabre would tighten ; the quiet eyes would flash ; the 
large nostrils would dilate, and the calm, grave face would glow 
with the proud spirit of the warrior. I have been frequently 
struck with this, and have often called the attention of others 
to it." 

We have thus presented the figure of Jackson under two 
or three aspects — as the absent-looking thinker moving, lost in 
meditation, through the streets of Lexington ; the grave pro- 
fessor in the lecturer's desk, and the officer of artillery, with 
sabre at his side, directing the drill and drawling out his com- 
mands in tlie long, singsong fashion peculiar to the graduates of 
West Point. His appearance on Sunday will conclude our out- 
lino He attended church with unfailing regulai*ity. Punctual 



PEOFESSOK AT LEXINGTON 27 

to the moment, the form of the Professor was seen to enter church, 
decorously approach the familiar pew, and enter with grave 
respect in his whole demeanor. Book in hand, he followed the 
words of the hymn sung by the congregation, and at the signal 
for prayer rose erect, his tall figure remaining as motionless as 
a statue until the prayer was finished. After the service he re- 
traced his steps with decorous gravity and retired to his quar- 
ters, to retm-n again with the same punctuality, and conduct 
himself with the same solemn respect, at the evening service. 
The hours of Sunday not spent in church were given up to 
religious reading, meditation, and prayer in his study or in the 
bosom of his family. 

Thus passed, in a routine of duty, barren and dull to the 
beholder, but doubtless interesting to him, a period of nearly 
ten years. Jackson's health was still delicate, and he suiFered 
much from weakness of eyesight ; but these drawbacks did not 
interfere with the rigid and complete discharge of his duties. 
The feebleness of his sight induced him to turn his attention 
especially to that subject, and when the revolution commenced, 
he had made considerable progress in an elementary work on 
Optics, which he proposed to publish for the benefit of his class. 
His character seems to have been understood and appreciated 
by the best classes of the little society of Lexington, and his 
virtues were greatly respected. Men of grave character and 
experience discerned the solid merits of the man ; and if they 
did not suspect the presence of that military genius which he 
afterwards exhibited on another arena, they valued him for his 
conscientious devotion to duty, and loved him for his simplicity 
and piety. One who was connected with him officially at this 
time. Colonel Smith, the superintendent, writes : " His great 
principle of government was that a general rule should not be 
violated for any particular good ; and his animating rule of action 
was, that a man could always accomplish what he willed to pex'- 
form." This statement may be .paraphrased in the words sys- 
tem, regularity, justice, impartiality, and unconquerable perse- 
verance and determination. These were valuable lessons to 



28 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

teach youths. They laughed at him, but they imbibed the prin- 
ciples of action which he taught. They derided the rigid disci- 
pline which the young martinet enacted ; denounced him for 
administering things " on a war footing," and no doubt honestly 
regarded him as a most unreasonable advocate of useless mili- 
tary etiquette ; but they were slowly and certainly trained, like 
growing twgs, in the direction which the teacher wished. Jack- 
son proceeded upon the eminently just view that the Institute 
was a military school, whose chief value consisted in the habits 
of military system and obedience which it impressed on the 
ductile characters of the cadets, and regarded any relaxation of 
the rules of the establislmaent as directly tending to strike at the 
intention of its founders and destroy its usefulness. Many anec- 
dotes touching this point are related of him. He once contin- 
ued to wear a thick woollen unifox'm during the sultriest days 
of summer, when everybody else had adopted the lightest attire 
possible ; and when asked by one of the professors why he did 
so, replied that " he had seen an order prescribing the uniform 
which he wore, but none had been exhibited to him directing it 
to be changed." Another incident is equally characteristic. 
Colonel Smith declares that he has known him to walk to and 
fi'O, in front of the superintendent's quarters, with a heavy rain 
beating upon his person, " because the hour had not quite ar- 
rived when it was his duty to present his weekly reports." Such 
things appeared extremely absurd to the young gentlemen who 
had no idea of the importance of military " orders," and the 
implicit obedience which a good soldier considers it his duty to 
pay to them. But which was I'ight — the laughing yoimg cadet, 
or the grave major of artillery? Let the thousands who in tlie 
late bitter and arduous struggle have been taught by stern expe- 
rience the necessity of strict compliance with all orders, to the 
very letter, answer the question. 

As yet, however, the cadets laughed, and doubted the gooil 
sense of all this rigid discipline. They not only made fun of 
the grave Professor behind his back, but persecuted and " sorely 
tried" him, says "An ex-Cadet," by practical jokes. One of 



PKOFESSOE AT LEXINGTON. 29 

these ^vas amusing, and will give the reader some idea of the 
youths with whom he had to deal. The battery used in drilling 
was managed by di'ag-ropes, which the junior class manned. 
These would play all sorts of pranks. Sometimes a lynch-pin 
would be secretly abstracted, and the piece or caisson would 
break down in the midst of the drill. A more mirth-provoking 
device even than this, however, was hit upon. A small bell 
was adroitly suspended inside of the limber-box, and the con- 
spirators demurely took their places at the drag-ropes. TJie 
commander of the battery gave the order " Forward," and tht 
pieces began to move. Suddenly a mysterious tinkling was 
heard, and the cadets, unable to withstand this tax upon their 
risible faculties, burst into shouts of laughter. The Professor 
looked astonished, halted the battery, and with great earnestness 
instituted an inquiry into the phenomenon. It was in vain ; 
nothing was discovered, and the order was again given for the 
pieces to move forward. They moved, and the hidden bell again 
tinkled, amid renewed shouts of laughter. How this adventure 
terminated we are not informed, but there is no doubt that the 
trick was played and was not greatly enjoyed by Professor Jack- 
son. Other devices of the frolicsome cadets to annoy him seem 
to have affected him with a touch of humor. We have referred 
to the long drawling manner in which, following the fashion of 
West Point, he gave his commands. A favorite movement with 
him was to bring the battery into echelon ; and whenever the 
command to "Form echelon" was given with its accompani- 
ment, " Right oblique — trot — march ! " the whole ground would 
ring with the commands, repeated by the cadet officers, in the 
most ridiculous drawl imaginable. One evening when this had 
been carried to unwonted excess, the adjutant approached Jack- 
son and asked him how he was pleased with the drill. 

" Very much, sir," replied Jackson ; then smiling slightly, 
he added, "the officers gave very fine commands this afternoon." 

No opportunity of having a laugh at the Professor's expense 
was lost sight of, and on another occasion the cadets had some 
grounds for their amusement. One day Jackson informed his 



3C LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

class that the clock in front of the Institute was not correct, and 
declared his intention to ascertain, by scientific means, the exact 
time. He accordingly marched out to the parade-ground, with 
the class at his heels, and proceeded, by means of his instru- 
ments, to take an observation. The result was amusing and 
delightful to the cadet-heart. He finished his work about half- 
past twelve in the day, and to bis profound astonishment discov- 
ered that it was nearly seven in the evening ! The cadets set up 
a shout, and after looking around him with incredulous surprise 
for some moments, Jackson joined in the general laughter. It 
was soon discovered that the instruments were out of order, but 
the cadets did not suffer this fact to lessen their appreciation of 
the joke. 

One of the few exhibitions of a tendency to humor which 
we find in Jackson's whole career occurred at this period. The 
reader will not be troubled with many similar incidents, and we 
give the anecdote here. \ One morning in 1858 he called up a 
member of the graduating class, and with profound gravity pro- 
pounded the following scientific question : 

" Why is it impossible to send a telegraphic despatch from 
Lexington to Staunton ? " 

The cadet reflected for some moments, and then replied that 
the explanation of this phenomenon doubtless lay in the fact 
that the amount of iron ore in the mountain drew the magnetic 
current from the wires. 

A covert smile touched upon Jackson's features ; fled away, 
and he said : 

" No, sir ; you can take your seat." 

Another was called up, but he too failed to explain the 
mystery. A second, then a third were equally unsuccessful — 
Jackson listening to their theories with profound attention, but 
with the same sly smile which had greeted the first solution. 
This smile, probably, attracted the attention of the next cadet who 
was called, and threw a sudden light upon the subject. His 
countenance lit up ; his lip broke into a smile in return, and he 
said: 



PEOFESSOE AT LEXINGTON. 31 

" Well, Major Jackson, I reckon it must be because there is 
no telegraph between the two places." 

" You are right, sir," replied Jackson, who had suddenly 
renewed his composed expression. " You can take your seat." _^\ 

An outburst of laughter from the class greeted this passage 
of arms in which the Professor was overthrown, but the un- 
Avonted display of humor had apparently exhausted Jackson's 
appreciation of the quality for the time. He called the class to 
order, and calmly continued the subject of the recitation as if 
nothing had happened. 

We give this incident upon good authority. It is the first 
and last attempt at a practical joke which we find in Jackson's 
life. 

Another incident of his dealings with the cadets is an illus- 
tration of the quiet courage of the man, and disregard of per- 
sonal consequences where duty was concerned. He had brought 
charges against a cadet, who was tried and dismissed from the 
Institute. Burning vsdth resentment, the young man declared 
his intention to take Jackson's life, and arming himself took his 
position on the road from Lexington to the Institute, over which 
he knew the Professor would pass on his way to meet his class. 
A friend had overheard the youth express his bloody intention, 
and hastening to warn Jackson, naet him on the road, and in- 
formed him of his danger, strongly urging him to turn back. 
To turn back, however, was to neglect his recitations on that 
day, and to hold his recitations was a part of his duty. He pe- 
remptorily refused to retrace his steps, and with the cold and 
stern reply, " Let the assassin murder me if he will ! " continued 
his way. As he approached the spot indicated, he saw the young 
man standing and awaiting him. He turned and gazed fixedly 
at him with that look which had fronted, unmoved, the most 
terrible scenes of carnage upon many battle-fields. The youth 
could not sustain it ; he lowered his eyes, and, turning away in 
silence, left the spot, while Jackson calmly pursued his way. 

We have here placed upon record, with such illustrations as 
we could collect, the traits of character which distinguished 



32 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

Jackson at tliis period of his life. One other which is men- 
tioned by a recent biographer should be noticed — the strength 
of his memory. " In the section room," says " An ex-Cadet," 
" he would sit perfectly erect and motionless, listening with grave 
attention, and exhibiting the great powers of his wonderful 
memory, which was, I think, the most remarkable that ever 
came under my observation. The course that he taught was 
the most dilficult and complicated known to mathematics, run- 
ning through at least half a dozen text-books. In listening to a 
recitation he rarely used a book. He was ready at any moment 
to refer to any page or line in any of the books, and then to 
repeat with perfect accuracy the most difficult passages that 
could be referred to." 

Such M^as Jackson at Lexington ; a stiff, earnest, military 
figui-e — artillery officer turned professor : stern in his bearing, 
eccentric in his habits, peculiar in many of his views, leading a 
life of alternate activity in the section room and abstraction in 
the study, independent, devoted to duty, deeply religious in sen- 
timent, and notable in person, deportment, and character for an 
undoubted originality. The eccentric figure was as well known 
in Lexington as that of the " Iron Duke," raising the finger to 
his hat, and uttering his curt greeting in the streets of London. 
As years wore on his character was better understood — his merit 
more fully recognized. "We may doubt Colonel Smith's asser- 
tion that at the breaking out of the present war, " the sponta- 
neous sentiment of every cadet and graduate was to serve under 
him as their leader," but there is good reason to believe that he 
had strongly impressed great numbers of persons with a convic- 
tion of his soldierly qualities — his good judgment, impartiality, 
perseverance, courage, and knowledge of the profession of arms. 

Thus passed the years, almost without incident with Jack- 
son — month following month, with little to distinguish one from 
anotlier. The death of his first wife ; his second marriage ; a 
brief visit which he made to Europe in 1858, and his march to 
CliarlestowB, Virginia, in command of the cadet battery, in 



PKOFESSOE AT LEXINGTOIT. 33 

1859, during the John Brown agitation, are the only events 
which seem to have interrupted the monotony of his daily duties. 
The loss of his wife must have been a heavy blow to a man of 
so much depth and earnestness of feeling, but we have no pri- 
vate records connected with that event. His tour in Europe is 
equally a blank. We only know that in 1858 he obtained a 
furlough of three months from the Board of Visitors, which he 
spent in European travel. The tour was brief and rapid, and 
we can trace from it no influences upon his life or character. 
At the expiration of his leave of absence he was back in his 
accustomed place, dressed in his accustomed uniform, and calmly 
pursuing his recitations, his artillery drills, and his scientific 
studies. 

Plis life had thus flowed on, almost without a ripple on the 
serene surface. He was a sentinel on duty, whose "beat" was 
between his study and his recitation-room. The ardent young 
soldier had settled down into the serious professor, drilling mil- 
itary and scientific knowledge into the minds of youth, and con- 
tent in this sphere of usefulness to forget all the dreams of am- 
bition. Had not the recent struggle called him to the field once 
more, it is almost certain that he would have grown gray in his 
professor's chair, and died unknown. 

But such a tranquil life and death was not to be the fate of 
Jackson. His early manhood had been passed in the hot at- 
mosphere of battle, and amid the roar of artillery and small 
arms : that stormy music had saluted his youthful ears, and was 
to thunder round him on many a hard-fought field in a fiercer 
contest than any of the past ; and with the solemn diapason roll- 
ing in the distance still, his spirit was to pass away. 



34 LIFE OF STOXEWALL JACKSON. 

CHAPTER V. 

JACKSOX IS APPOINTED COLONEL OF VOLUNTEERS. 

The causes which led to the late war are too well known to 
require any notice here. Other considerations operate to deter 
the Avriter from entering upon the subject. A brief summary 
would be too little, and a full discussion too much. 

South Carolina seceded on the 20th December, 1860, and by 
the 1st of February, 1861, she had been joined in the order 
named by Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, 
and Texas. Military movements had begun at many points, 
and the formal collision was rapidly approaching. Early in 
February, Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, was elected President 
of the Confederate States, and on the 13th of AprO Fort Sum- 
ter surrendered to General Beauregard. 

On the next day, April 14, 1861, President Lincoln issued his 
proclamation calling upon the States for 75,000 men, to enforce 
obedience to the United States authority in the seceded States. 

This proclamation decided the course of Virginia. She had 
long delayed her decision, from an almost unconquerable repug- 
nance to a dissolution of the Union, and the inauguration of a 
bloody civil war, which must desolate her ovm territory more 
than that of any other State ; and, in the Convention, then sitting 
at Richmond, the advocates of secession had hitherto found them- 
selves opposed by a majority which nothing seemed able to over- 
come. This large party were in favor of mediating between 
the extremes, and believed themselves competent to arrange the 
differences by Peace Commissioners, and an appeal to the old 
kindly feeling of both sections. In April, however, it began to 
be plainly seen that these hopes were illusory. The Commis- 
sioners returned from Washington without attaining any results, 
and the proclamation of the President of the United States call- 
ing for troops to act against the Soutli, speedily followed. 



JACKSON IS APPOINTED COLONEL OF VOLTJNTEEKS. 35 

Virginia, as one of the States still in the Union, was ex- 
pected to furnish her quota of this force of 75,000 men ; and 
the Commonwealth was called upon immediately to decide 
whether she would fight against or with the South. Her deci- 
sio'n was shown by the passage, on the 17th of April, of an ordi- 
nance of secession, and Virginia took her place, for weal or 
woe, by the side of her Southern sisters. 

Having thus cast their lot with the seceding States, the au- 
thorities of Virginia proceeded to prepare for war. The Con- 
vention entered with vigor upon the work of putting the Com- 
monwealth in a state of defence ; volunteers were directed to be 
enrolled and held in readiness in every part of the State ; and 
Colonel R. E. Lee, who had resigned his commission in the 
United States cavalry, and repaired to his native State, was ap- 
pointed Major-General of the Provisional army of Virginia, and 
placed in command of all her forces. 

These steps were not taken too soon. The action of Vir- 
ginia had been anticipated by the Federal authoi'ities, and they 
now acted with decision. The passage of the ordinance of seces- 
sion became known on the 18th, and on the 19th of April Lieu- 
tenant Jones, of the United States army, evacuated Harper's 
Ferry, having first attempted to blow up the pubKc buildings 
there. On the next day reenforcements were promptly thrown 
into Fortress Monroe ; and the navy yard at Norfolk, together 
with the war shipping there, was set on fire and abandoned. 

"War had thus commenced, and with it Jackson appeared 
upon the scene. He left Lexington on the 21st of April, in 
command of the corps of cadets, and, proceeding to Camp Lee 
at Richmond, entered energetically upon the task of drilling the 
new levies flocking in from every portion of the State. While 
he was thus engaged. Governor Letcher nominated him for colo- 
nel of volunteers, and his name came up before the Convention. 
Here some objection was shown to the appointment. A strong 
prejudice had taken hold upon the pubHc mind against the mana- 
gers of the Military Institute, who were supposed to have be- 
layed an intention of monopolizing, if possible, for the ofllcers 



3G LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON 

and g:ra(luates of that school, all military appointments in the 
Virginia forces, and the career of Jackson in Mexico, never 
very widely known, appeared to have passed from the memories 
of everybody. 

"Who is this Thomas J. Jackson?" was a question asked 
by many, and one of his friends replied : 

" I can tell you who he is. If you put him in command ^l 
Norfolk, he will never leave it alive, unless you order him to 
do so." 

His senices in Mexico and at the Institute were dwelt upon 
by his friends, and his appointment was unanimously confirmed. 
But he was not sent to Norfolk. He was directed to proceed to 
Harper's Ferry and take command of the forces assembling 
there, which he did on the 3d of May, 1861. 

We have a personal sketch of Jackson as he appeared at this 
time, which, if not very complimentary, is at least characteristic, 
and shows what effect he produced upon strangers. 

An army correspondent of one of the Southern papers drew 
an outline of the newly appointed colonel. The queer appari- 
tion of the ex-Profcsscr on the field excited great merriment in 
this writer. The Old Dominion must be wofully deficient in 
military men, he feared, if this was the best she could do. The 
new colonel was not at all like a commanding officer. There 
was a painful want in him of all the " pride, pomp, and circum- 
stance of glorious war." His dress was no better than a pri- 
vate soldier's, and there was not a particle of gold lace about 
his uniform. His air was abstracted ; his bearing stiff and awk- 
ward ; he kept his own counsels ; never consulted with his offi- 
cers, and had very little to say to anybody. On horseback his 
appearance was even less impressive. Other oflUcers, at that 
early stage of the war, when the fondness for military insignia 
and display was greater than afterwards, when the blockade had 
cut off the supply of gewgaws and decorations, made their aj)- 
pc-arance before their troops on prancing horses, with splendid 
trappings, and seemed desirous of showing the admiring specta- 
tors how gracefully they could sit in the saddle. The new colo- 




^'. 




JACKSOJSf IS APPOINTED COLONEL OF VOLUNTEEES. 37 

nel was a strong contrast to all this. He rode an old horse who 
seemed to have little of the romance of war about him, and 
nothing at all fine in his equipment. His seat in the saddle was 
far from graceful ; he leaned forward awkwardly ; settled his 
chin from time to time in his lofty military stock, and looked 
from side to side, from beneath the low rim of his cadet cap, in 
a manner which the risible faculties of the correspondent could 
not resist. A queerer figure, and one which answered less to 
the idea of military grace, had never before dawned on the atten- 
tion of the literary gentleman who sketched it for the amuse- 
ment of the Southern reader. 

The sketch was not inaccurate in the main particulars. 
Such was not a bad description of the figure which the troops 
scanned curiously as he passed to and fro on duty ; and those who 
distrusted the ability of this silent and phlegmatic personage to 
command the forces, had their views apparently confirmed 
soon afterwards. On the 23d of May, General Joseph E. John- 
ston, formerly of the United States Army, and an ofiicer of tried 
ability and courage, arrived, and took command of all the troops 
at Harper's Ferry. Jackson was assigned to the command of a 
brigade of infantry, composed of four regiments of Virginians. 

The Federal authorities had meanwhile called for additional 
troops, and did not seem to share the opinion of the leading 
Northern journals, which predicted an early and almost blood- 
less termination of the war. " The nations of Europe," said one 
of these journals, " may rest assured that Jeff. Davis and Co. 
will be swinging from the battlements of "Washington, at least by 
the Fourth of July. "We spit upon a later and longer-deferred 
justice." Another said : " Let us make quick work. The 
' rebellion,' as some people designate it, is an unborn tadpole. 
Let us not fall into the delusion noticed by Hallam, of mistaking 
a ' local commotion ' for a revolution. A strong, active ' puU to- 
gether will do our work effectually in thirty days. "We have 
only t'.i send a column of 25,000 men across the Potomac, to 
Richmond, and burn out the rats there ; another column of 
25,000 to Cairo, seizing the cotton ports of the Mississippi, and 



38 I>irE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

retaining tlic remaining 25,000 included iu Mr. Lincoln's call for 
75,000 men, at Washington, not because there is any need for 
tliem there, but because we do not require their services else- 
where." A third said: "No man of sense can for a moment 
doubt that this much-ado-about-nothing will end in a month. 
The rebels, a mere band of ragamuffins, will fly like chaff before 
the wind on our approach." " Let the East get out of the 
way,'' said a fourth, " this is a war of the West. We can fight 
the battle and successfully, within two or three months at the 
furthest. Illinois can whip the South by herself. We insist on 
the matter being turned over to us." A fifth said : " The rebel- 
lion will be crushed out before the assemblage of Congress — not 
a doubt of it." 

The impression of the journals from which we have taken 
the above extracts differed widely from the apparent conviction 
of the Federal Executive. As early as the 3d of May, President 
Lincoln called for 40,000 additional infantry volunteers, 18,000 
seamen, and ten more regiments for the regular army, then 
being concentrated around Washington. This would place at 
his disposal about 150,000 troops, and this force was evidently 
the very least number possible, to carry out the plan of the Gov- 
ernment. This plan — devised, it is said, by Lieutenant-General 
Winfield Scott, commanding the Armies of the United States 
— was, to send one column to seize upon the Valley of the 
Mississippi, another to enter Kentucky and crush the rising 
spirit of rebellion there, and a third to capture Richmond, and 
paralyze the Confederate power in Virginia. With a strict 
blockade of the Southern ports, these steps, it was supposed, 
Avould terminate the Southern movement. 

Virginia was to be invaded in four directions — from For- 
tress Monroe up the Peninsula, between the James and York 
Rivers ; from Alexandi'ia by way of Manassas and the Orange 
and Alexandria Railroad to Gordonsville ; from Williamsport up 
the Valley of the Shenandoah ; and from the northwest toward 
Staunton. These four columns were to move at the same time, 
und, converging upon Richmond, take that city, reduce Virginia 



THE VALLEY. 39 

under the Federal sway again, and then, uniting with the columns 
in Kentucky and the Mississippi Valley, penetrate to the heart 
of the Confederacy, and dictate terms at Montgomery where it 
had originated. 

It remained to be seen whether the able soldiers in command 
of the Confederate forces would permit this plan of operations to 
be carried out. The question of the time necessary to subdue 
ihe Southern movement — upon which Lieutenant-General Scott 
and the editors differed so widely — was, after all, to be decided 
by Johnston and Beauregard. 



CHAPTER VI. 

THE VALLEY. 



The Valley of the Shenandoah, where Jackson's most cele- 
brated military movements took place, is that portion of Vir- 
ginia lying between the Blue Eidge and North Mountains, and 
extending from the headwaters of the Shenandoah near Staun- 
ton to the Potomac. 

The region has been called with propriety the " Garden of 
Virginia ; " and a Southern writer, in a rapture of admiration at 
its beauties of field and forest, mountain and river, describes it 
as a veritable Arcadia, realizing the most fanciful dreams of the 
elder poets. In the last century we find an English traveller, 
Burnaby, revelling in animated pictures of the splendid land- 
scape which he looked upon from a spur of the Blue Ridge : — 
the pellucid waters of the Shenandoah, skirted by tall trees, with 
drooping foliage, the chamosdaphnes in full bloom, and burdening 
the air with fragrance ; the mighty forests and smiling fields ; 
the delicious climate ; and the Eden-like happiness of those who, 
far from the bustle, the cares, and the anxieties of the worn-out 
world of Europe, here lived, in the midst of a lovely land, a life 
of freedom and tranquillity unknown to princes. 



40 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

This beautiful and fruitful region was worthy of protection 
for its own sake, for its patriotic inhabitants, its large slave 
population, and for the rich supplies which its fertile fields con- 
tained. But it was also exceedingly important, in a military 
point of view, tliat it should be hold by a Confederate force, and 
no part of it surrendered to the occupation of the enemy. A 
glance at the map of the State will show the justice of this state- 
ment. It will be seen that no portion of the region could be 
given up, without serious detriment to military operations 
north of Richmond ; and that possession of the upper valley 
would enable an enemy to cut off the Confederate communication 
with the Southwest, and strike a dangerous blow at the capital. 

It was especially important at this time — May, 1861 — that not 
a foot of ground in the lower valley should be surrendered. 
"Winchester, the key of the region, was essential to the Confed- 
erates, and this central point was entirely undefended by fortifi- 
cations of any description. The tOAMi was less than thirty 
miles from the Potomac ; and excellent turnpike roads converged 
toward it from Romney, Martinsburg, Sheppardstown, Charles- 
town, and Bei-ryville, like the fingers of an open hand. Over 
these roads, the Federal force, reported to be near Romney and 
WUliamsport, could easily advance with their trains and artU- 
lery ; and Winchester once in their possession, the effect would 
have been disastrous in the extreme. A short march through 
the Blue Ridge, at Snicker's, Ashby's, or Manassas Gaps, would 
enable them to take Manassas Junction in flank and reverse, as- 
sail the Confederate force there at an enormous advantage, and 
either force it to fight upon terms which they dictated, or fall 
back to the line of the Rappahannock. 

Thus, to give up Winchester was to abandon not only that 
portion of the valley with its rich resources and loyal inhab- 
itants, but to yield possession of the whole extent of country 
east of the Blue Ridge, and north of Fredericksburg. The Fed- 
eral forces would have poured into this smiling region, estab- 
lished themselves firmly throughout the entire " northern neck," 
and almost without fighting, achieved a position for future opera- 



THE FIKST BEIGADE. 41 

tions, to attain which afterwards cost them an untold expendi- 
ture of money and blood. It was to prevent them from securing 
so dangerous a foothold thus early in the struggle, that an army 
bad been sent to the lower valley, and placed under the direction 
of an officer of tried capacity and courage. 



CHAPTER VII. 

THE FIRST BRIGADE. 

Jackson was superseded in command, as we have said, by 
General Johnston, on the 23d of May. He had been active and 
energetic in organizing, equipping, and drilling the troops ; and 
every thing was to be done. Organization, instruction, and drill 
were only a portion of the labor. Transportation was to be se- 
cured, artillery horses collected, and ammunition to be obtained. 
The very harness to draw the guns was difficult to be secured. 
The volunteers were generally well armed, but the Ordnance 
Department of the Confederacy was wholly unorganized, and the 
few munitions then manufactured in the South were too defec- 
tive to be relied on. General Lee showed Colonel Stuart, about 
this time, a miserable-looking percussion-cap, apparently ex- 
ploded, and said sadly, " This is the best we can make." 

Jackson's energy soon achieved good results. The little 
army of volunteers Avas gradually moulded into something like 
an effective foi'ce ; and although its equipments were not such as 
enabled it to take the field with advantage. General Johnston 
found himself in command of a very respectable body of troops. 
It consisted of nine regiments and two battalions of infantry ; 
four companies of artillery, with sixteen pieces, but no caissons, 
horses, or harness, and about three hundred cavalry. 

The troops were only partially drilled, several regiments al- 
most without accoutrements, and the supply of ammunition was 
entirely inadequate for active operations ; but the character of 



42 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

the men who commanded this volunteer force was a sure guaranty 
that all defects would be speedily remedied. 

General Johnston Avas a thorough soldier, and had his whole 
heart in the cause.* Colonel J. E. B. Stuart, who commanded 
the cavalry, was characterized by untiring energy, clear judg- 
ment, and extraordinary powers of communicating his own brave 
spirit to his men. And Captain Pendleton, in charge of the ar- 
tillery, was an excellent officer, a graduate of "West Point, and 
devoted heart and soul to the South. The deficiency in harness 
for the artillery was readily supplied by the use of ropes and 
farm gearing : the cavalry were taught that more depended upon 
stout hearts, strong arms, and the elan of the true cavalier, than 
on the number or excellence of weapons ; and into the ardent 
youths of the infantry were infused the stern courage, the un- 
yielding fortitude, the daring, the obstinacy, the unshrinking 
nerve of Jackson. With Stuart in command of his cavalry, 

* The correspondent of a Soutbem journal thus described Johnston : 
" General Johnston, as you are aware, is a native of the proud old Common- 
wealth of Virginia, and a little turned fifty years of age. He weighs about one 
hundred and sixty pounds, is five feet ten inches in height — thougli he looks 
taller on account of his erect carriage — has a florid complexion, short gray hair 
and clor-cly cut side-whiskers, mustache and goatee. His manners are rather 
quiet and dignified, and his general appearance and deportment highly military. 
Indeed, every thing about him — his bearing, style of dress, and even his most 
careless attitudes — betoken the high-toned and spirited soldier, who loves his 
profession, and whose soul revels in the din and uproar of the battle-field. His 
Bhort hair and beard, high color, close-fitting uniform, striking air and self-pos- 
session, remind one of the game cock, the most courageous of all ' the fowls of 
the air,' when chpped and trimmed and prepared for the ring. 

*' As a strategist he enjoys a very high reputation among military men. In 
his operations he regards masses and general results, rather than isolated 
bodies and mere temporary effects. And hence the opinion prevails, with 
some, that he lacks energy and enterprise. This, however, is a great mistake. 
No man is more watchful of his adversary, or more ready to strike when the 
right time comes ; and when he does strike he delivers the blow of a giant. 
He sees but little advantage in picking off a man here and there, or in precipi- 
tating small bodies of men against each other. Instead of frittering away hia 
strength, he seeks rather to husband it until the auspicious moment arrives, 
and then he goes to work with an energy and resolution that is wonderful" 



THE FIRST BEIGADE. 43 

Pendleton in charge of the artillery, and Jackson to lead his in- 
fantry, General Johnston had an auspicious augury of the splen- 
did results which, in spite of its small numbers, the army would 
surely achieve. Jackson had been assigned to the command of 
the First Brigade of the " Army of the Shenandoah," as it was 
now called — consisting of the 2d Virginia, Colonel Allen ; the 
4th Virginia, Colonel Preston ; the 5th Virginia, Colonel Harper, 1 
and the 27th (Lieutenant-Colonel Echols commanding), to ', 
which was soon afterwards added the 33d Virginia, Colonel } 
Cumming. These regiments were composed of the very flower 
and pride not only of the valley, but the whole commonwealth ; 
and this fine fighting material was rapidly taking shape from 
the iron hand of its leader. Jackson had already begun to 
mould his command into that phalanx which stood unbroken 
afterwards amid scenes of the most frightful carnage. It was 
to take his own impress, rejoice in being led by him, and, as the 
" Stonewall Brigade," attain a renown which will h've in the 
pages of history. 

The origin, embodiment, and organization of this famous 
brigade would afford material for an interesting sketch. For 
this we have no space, but a brief reference to the material 
and character of one of the regiments — the 2d Virginia — will 
convey an idea of the rest. This regiment was composed of 
young men from the counties of Jefferson, Berkeley, Frederick, 
and Clarke, where there had been scarcely a youth over fifteen 
who had not shouldered his musket and marched to defend the 
border. The ardor of the times burned in every breast, even in 
boys far below the military age, and it became wholly impossi- 
ble to keep them at school. In vain did the mothers of these 
gay youths, trembling at the thought of exposing their weak 
frames to the hardships of the service, use every means of re- 
taining them at home. The high spirit derived from courageous 
ancestors broke through all obstacles, and carried its point. 
The schools were deserted ; the scholars laid down their text- 
books to take up the musket ; the towns, villages, and cross-roads 
were alive with young warriors, ardently learning the drill and 



44: LITE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

the management of their arms ; and from their own beardless 
ranks were elected those officers who afterwards faced the storms 
of battle at Manassas, Kcrnstown, Port Republic, and in all the 
great campaigns of the low country — of Maryland and Pennsyl- 
vania — with a nerve so splendid and heroic. They had, many 
of them, lived in luxury, but they strapped on the knapsack, 
sliouldered the musket, and marched and fought and lived hard, 
with the contentment and resolution of veterans. There was 
little repining at hard fare or exhausting marches — and marched 
they were very nearly to death. They proved tliemselves thor- 
ough soldiers ; accepted good fortune and bad with equanimity ; 
and, advancing into action with a gay and chivalric courage, 
fought and died with a smile upon the lips. In the ranks of the 
regiment were persons of all ages and conditions — old men and 
boys, the humblest of the sons of toil and the heirs of the most 
ancient faiiiilies — but there was no distinction which separated 
them. They were all united, trained, and working for a com- 
mon object ; and thus united they continued to the end. 

All that this excellent fighting material required in May, 
1861, was a leader who could compel the respect, arouse the en- 
thusiasm, and control and direct the chivalric impulses of the 
men. This leader was found in the person of Jackson 



CHAPTER VIII. 

JOHNSTON EETREATS. 

An opportunity to test the efficiency of the troops was now 
near at hand. The Federal authorities had entered upon the 
campaign in Virginia with great vigor, and the surprise and 
captm'e of about 600 Confederates at Philippi, in Northwestern 
Virginia, seemed a happy omen of the future. The affair at 
Bethel, in Lower Virginia, on the 10th of June, was not so en- 
couraging. At that jjlace an attacking force of Federal infantry, 



JOHNSTOir EETEEATS. 45 

about 4,000 in number, was repulsed by about 1,800 Confeder- 
ates posted behind earthworks, and forced to retreat, with some 
loss, to Fortress Monroe. 

The most important field of operations was, however, on the 
Potomac, and toward the middle of June the great campaign in 
that region commenced. General McClellan was advancing 
from the northwest with an army of about 20,000 men ; Patter- 
son was moving from Pennsylvania on WUliamsport with a force 
estimated at 18,000 ; and the " Grand Army," assembling at 
Alexandria, was nearly ready to advance along that great war 
artery, the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, upon Richmond. 
To oppose the march of these heavy columns, the Confederates 
had about 23,000 men — of whom 15,000 were at Manassas, and 
about 8,000 at Harper's Ferry. Much reliance was, however, 
placed upon the officers in command at the points in question. 
General Beauregard, commanding at Manassas, was a soldier 
of recognized ability, and General Johnston was supposed to 
possess high qualifications for his position. Although the two 
armies were separate and distinct, they were within supporting 
distance, and could easUy be consolidated. In case a movement 
of the large Federal force at Washington threatened to over- 
p ower the troops at Manassas, and thus open the way to Rich- 
mond, General Johnston could promptly evacuate the valley, 
unite with Beauregard, and oppose the Federal advance vsdth 
the entire available force of the Confederacy in that region. 

Such was the general situation. We proceed now to the 
field with which we are more particularly concerned. 

Upon assuming command at Harper's Ferry, General John- 
ston made a complete reconnoissance of the place and its envi 
rons. The authorities seem to have regarded it at the time as a 
point of strategic importance, but Johnston's examination of the 
ground confirmed, he declares, his preconceived opinion that the 
position was untenable by any force not strong enough to take 
the field against an invading army, and hold both sides of the 
Potomac. In fact, this romantic spot is a species of triangle, of 
which the Potomac and Shenandoah, here mingling their waters, 



46 LITE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

foiin two sides, and an elevated plateau in rear of the town the 
third. The position is exposed to enfilade and reverse fires 
from the lofty ridge across the Potomac, known as Maryland 
Heights, and could easily be turned by the enemy crossing above 
or below. In addition to all this, Harper's Ferry was twenty 
miles from the great route into the valley, by which Patterson 
would advance ; and if he continued to hold it. General John- 
ston saw that he would be out of position to defend the valley ; 
unable, in case of emergency, to join General Beam'egard, and 
would, himself, be exposed to serious danger by a movement of 
the enemy on his rear. 

These considerations determined him to evacuate a position 
which it " perfectly suited the enemy's views" to have him oc- 
cupy, and retired to Winchester, his true base of operations, 
where aU the great highways converged. Thence he could op- 
pose the columns advancing from the northwest and by way of 
Williamsport ; had the valley to fall back along, if necessary, 
and, better than all, the way was open to Beauregard, who might 
need his assistance at Manassas. From a veritable trap Gen- 
eral Johnston would emerge into an open field, where he could 
advance or retire at will, free as a ranger of the prairie to strike, 
stand on the defensive, or retreat ; and this new position, offer- 
ing so many advantages, he determined at once to occupy. 

The movement, however, was not then made. The military 
authorities at Richmond regarded the continued occupation of 
Harper's Ferry as indispensable, and Johnston ••' determined to 
liold it, until the great objects of the Government required its 
abandonment." * To guard against surprise, in the meanwhile, 
and deceive the enemy as to his intention, he directed Major 
Whiting, his chief engineer, to mount a few heavy guns on Fur- 
nace Ridge, above the town, and otherwise strengthen the posi- 
tion. The important duty of picketing the river, above and be- 
low, was entrusted to the cavalry under Colonel Stuart. 

This officer, styled by Johnston " the indefatigable Stuart,** 

• This ambiguous sentence is taken from General Jobnston's official report 



JOHNSTON EETEEAT8. 47 

here inaugurated that energetic system of cavalry tactics which 
afterwards on a wider field accomplished so much, and secured 
for its originator his great and justly-earned reputation. Bold, 
ardent, and "indefatigable" by mental and physical organiza- 
tion, the young Virginian — for he was not yet twenty-eight years 
of age — concentrated all his faculties upon the task before him, 
of watching for the enemy's approach and penetrating his de- 
, signs. Educated at We^ft*oint, and trained in Indian fighting 
on the prairie, he brought to the gi'eat struggle, upon which he 
had now entered, a thorough knowledge of arms, a bold and fer- 
tile conception, and a constitution of body which enabled him to 
bear up against fatigues which would have prostrated the strength 
of other men. Those who saw him at this time are eloquent in 
their description of his energy and the habits of the man. They 
tell how he remained almost constantly in the saddle ; how he 
never failed to .take to one side and specially instruct every 
squad which went out on picket ; how he was everywhere present, 
at all hours of the day and night, along the line which he guarded ; 
and how, by thus infusing into the raw cavalry his own untiring 
activity and watclifulness, he was enabled, in spite of the small 
force which he commanded — about three hundred men — to ob- 
serve the whole front of the Potomac from the Point of Rocks east 
of the Blue Ridge to the western part of Berkeley. His personal 
traits made him a great favorite with all who knew him, and 
contributed to his success with volunteers. His animal spirits 
were unconquerable, his gayety and humor unfailing ; he had a 
ready jest for all, and made the forest ring with his songs as he 
marched at the head of his column. So great was his activity, 
that General Johnston compared him to that species of hornet 
called a " yellow jacket," and said that " he was no sooner 
brushed ofi" than he lit back again." When the General was 
subsequently transferred to the West, he wrote to Stuart : " How 
can I eat, sleep, or rest in peace without you upon the outpost?" 
The anticipated advance of the Federal forces soon began.] 
On the 13th of June, information reached General Johnston that I 
the town of Romney, about thirty-seven miles west of Winches- 1 



48 LITE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

ter, was occupied by 2,000 Federal troops, supposed to be the 
advance force of General McClellan, and that General Patterson 
was moving from Chambersburg on "Williamsport. On receiv- 
ing this intelligence, Johnston sent Colonel A. P. Hill with tliree 
regiments to check the advance of the force at Romney, and 
made immediate preparations to evacuate Harper's Ferry, and 
fall back upon Winchester. Active steps had already been 
taken in anticipation of the necessit^of this movement. The 
valuable machinery for manufacturing muskets and rifles had 
been removed to Richmond, and Fayette\dlle, North Carolina, 
and every arm serviceable and unserviceable secured. All that 
now remained to be done was to send the heavy baggage and 
public property still there to Winchester. 

This Avas done, and on the morning of June 14th, the long 
railroad bridge over the Potomac and the public buildings were 
set on fire. The spectacle was magnificent. The buildings and 
bridge were soon wrapped in flame, clouds of lurid smoke dark- 
ened the landscape, and the troops gazing upon the scene felt 
that the war had commenced in earnest. 

On the morning of the 15th, Johnston fell back fi-om the 
place, and, passing through Charlestown, Avhere the troops were 
*^warmly received, bivouacked in the woods beyond. On the 16 th 
he moved by his rigbt flank across the country to Bunker Hill, 
on the Winchester and Martinsburg turnpike, and was thus in 
front of General Patterson, who had thrown a force across -at 
Williamsburg, but now withdrew it, finding that Johnstoi^ main 
body was ready to meet any advance. As soon as the enemy 
were known to have disappeared from his front. General John- 
ston retired from Bunker HUl, and concentrated his whole force, 
including Hill's command, which had returned at Winchester. 



THE "ATFAIE at FALLING WATERS." 49 

CHAPTER rs. 

THE "APPAIB at FALLING WATERS." 

Every thing remainedquiet, after these movements, during 
the month of June. Stuart was, as usual, in command of the 
front, and " his increasing activity and vigilance," says General 
Johnston, " were relied on to repress small incursions of the en- 
emy, to give intelligence of invasions by them, and to watch, 
harass, and circumscribe their every movement." Johnston, 
then occupied in throwing up earthworks at Winchester, de- 
pended upon this officer for prompt warning of any movement 
on the part of General Patterson ; and this warning soon came. 
Stuart sent word that the enemy were moving, and, on the 20th 
of June, Jackson was despatched with his brigade to the neigh- 
borhood of Martinsburg, with orders to send such of the rolling 
stock of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad as could be removed 
to Winchester, destroy the rest, and when the enemy appeared, 
act as a suppoi't to the cavalry. He was not, however, to make a 
decided stand, but feel his adversary, and, if hard pressed, retire 
toward Winchester. 

The high-spirited young men of the First Brigade received 
the order to march against the enemy with enthusiasm ; and this 
sentiment was not unshared by their commander. Jackson's 
love of movement, action, and conflict has not been sufficiently 
dwelt upon by the writers who have described the man and his 
career. To the last he Avas impatient of the inactive life of the 
camp, and, in the fall of 1862, expressed a strong desire to ac- 
company General Stuart in his expedition around McClellan, in 
Maryland, as a volunteer cavalry man. In June, 1861, the or- 
der to advance and " feel the enemy," was received by him with 
unalloyed satisfaction. This was more than shared, as we have 
intimated, by his troops. They were proud to have been selected 
4 



50 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSOIT. 

for tills first collision, upon the result of which so much Avas apt 
to depend, and prepared with ardor for the march. 

Jackson was soon at Martinsburg, from which place he sent 
a number of locomotives back to Winchester, drawn by teams 
of horses over the turnpike. About forty engines and three hun- 
dred cars were burned, and the brigade then advanced to sup- 
port the cavalry between Martinsbur^ymd "Williamsport. This 
WHS the first occasion upon Avhich Jackson and Stuart, after- 
wards so closely associated, acted together in face of the enemy. 
Common recollections of " old times in the Valley," became a 
bond of union between them subsequently, and their friendship 
remained warm and constant to the last. When Jackson fell at 
Chancellorsville, his thoughts at once turaed to Stuart as his 
successor, and he murmured, " Tell him to act upon his own 
judgment, and do what he thinks best ; I have implicit con- 
fidence in him ; " and when the news came of his death, tears 
gushed into Stuart's eyes, and he said, in a broken voice, " It 
is a national calamity ; Jackson's loss is irreparable." 

These officers were now to act together in front of the in- 
vading force under Patterson, and their skill, enterprise, and 
coursge gave promise of favorable results. Stuart with his 
cavahy, and Jackson with his infantry, formed a dangerous 
combination. The one, living in the saddle and watching with 
lynx-eyed vigilance, was sure to discover every movement of his- 
adversary, and promptly meet it ; the other, lying in wait, was 
ready to advance and try of what mettle the invading column 
was composed- 
Jackson encamped in the neighborhood of the little village 
of Hainesville, on the road to Falling Waters and Williamsport, 
the camp of Colonel Stuart being a little in advance of that 
point in the same direction. Such was the position of the Con- 
federates when, on the 2d of July, the Federal army crossed 
the Potomac at Williamsport. They were commanded by Gen- 
eral Patterson in person, and Jackson immediately advanced to 
receive their attack — Colonel Stuart having moved with about 
oue hundred cavalry by a circuitous road to attack their flank 




LT C EN J. E 



STUART. 



THE " AFFAIR AT FALLING WATEKS." 51 

and rear. It was on this occasion that Stuart captured, in per- 
son, forty-four men. He was detached from his command, and 
seeing a company of Federal infantry resting in a field, sepa- 
rated from him by a fence and bars, determined to attempt their 
capture. He accordingly rode up to the fence, ordered one of 
the Federal soldiers to take down the bars, which was done with 
respectful alacrity, under the impression, doubtless, from his blue 
uniform coat, that he was an ofiicer of the United States army, 
and then thundered, " Throw down your arms, or you are aU 
dead men ! " This stentorian order was obeyed at once by the 
raw troops, who not only dropped their axms, but fell upon their 
faces, and were all captured.* 

Jackson had meanwhile advanced to meet the enemy, taking 
with him the 5th Virginia infantry, numbering three hundred 
and eighty men, and Pendleton's battery of four six-pounders. 
His object, he informed Captain Pendleton, was " not to fight a 
battle, but to feel the enemy, strike a good blow, and satisfy him- 
self what it was best to do." The remainder of his brigade had 
accordingly been left in camp, and three of the guns were soon 
halted, Jackson proceeding with the regiment of infantry and 
one gun toward Falling Waters. Near that place he came upon 
the enemy advancing from Williamsport, their advance force 
consisting, it is said by Federal authorities, of the brigades of 
Abercrombie, Thomas, and Negley, with artillery, and about 
five hundred cavalry. When first seen the Federal column was 
emerging from a skirt of woods through which the turnpike ran, 
and Jackson's regiment had halted behind a hill which concealed 
them. 

His orders, as we have seen, were to feel the enemy as they 
advanced, and he now promptly made his dispositions to do so. 
The 5th Virginia was deployed to the right and left of the road, 
the piece of artillery held ready for action ; and these arrange- 
ments were scai'cely made when the rapid formation of line of 
battle by the Federal troops indicated that they had discovered 

* This incident was related to the writer by General Stuart. 



52 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

the presence of the Confederates. Their infantry line 0(!cupied 
the edge of the skirt of woods, with a battery posted on their 
right, and a column of cavalry was visible in rear. 

Jackson proceeded here as elsewhere upon the rule that it is 
better to attack if possible, and promptly ordered his line to 
advance. Harper's men did so with alacrity — were met by the 
Philadelphia Rangers — and the action began with animation on 
both sides, the Federal battery on the right of their line opening 
a vigorous fire upon the Confederates. In spite of this fire, how- 
ever, and that of the Federal sharp-shooters, they continued to 
advance, and drove the enemy from a farmhouse and yard which 
he had occupied, which so elated the young volunteers that they 
prepared to attack the main Federal line of battle. Jackson, 
however, ordered them to fall back from this dangerous position ; 
and the movement having been construed as a defeat, the Fed- 
eral cavalry pushed forward in pursuit, advancing rapidly in 
close column down the turnpike. They were met by the artil- 
lery. Jackson galloped back to Pendleton's gun, which was 
under the crest of the hill, and, pointing out the cavalry, directed 
him to fire a shot at the column. This was promptly done ; 
Captain Pendleton, who had been an Episcopal clergyman, giv- 
ing th^ characteristic order, "Aim low, men ! and may the 
Lord have mercy on their souls I " The shot struck the head 
of the cavahy column, overthrowing men and horses ; they 
wheeled about in confusion, and, says an eye-witness, " vanished 
like plmntoms." The fire of the six-pounder was then turned 
upon the Federal artillery, and one who took part in this 
skirmish, whose statements are always fair and reliable, de- 
clares that their cannoneers ran from the pieces at the first shot. 
They had better gunners afterwards. 

The action continued until about noon, the Federal forces 
apparently fearing to advance incautiously. The Confederate 
line was no doubt regarded as the advance-guard of a much 
heavier force near at hand, and General Patterson extended his 
flanks to envelope Jackson and force him to fall back upon his 
supposed reserves. This resulted as he wished, the Southern 



JOHNSTON LEAVES THE VALLEY, 53 

troops slowly retiring to prevent being outflanked ; the loss upon 
each side having been, it is said, exactly the same — two men 
killed and a few wounded. 

The " affair at Falling "Waters," as Johnston styles it in his 
official report, was inconsiderable for the force engaged, and de- 
cided nothing ; but its effect upon the morale of the Southern 
troops was important. It gave them confidence in themselves, 
since a force of three hxmdred and eighty men had been able to 
hold in check for several hours an invading column of many 
thousands ; and, what was perhaps equally important, convinced 
them of the coolness and soldiership of their commander. Jack- 
son had met the enemy with the skill and nerve of the trained 
soldier ; and the men afterwards told with admiration how, 
while writing a despatch in the midst of the action, a cannon ball 
which tore the tree above his head to splinters had not made 
him move a muscle or discontinue his occupation. These may 
seem trifles, and some readers may regard it as unnecessary 
trouble to state that Jackson had military courage. But such 
incidents are not trifles in war. They conciliate the confidence 
and good feeling of troops ; and happy is the general who im- 
presses upon his men the conviction that his nerves are beyond 
the influence of danger, though death stare him in the face. 
The troops believed this much of Jackson after the Falling 
Waters affair.* 



CHAPTER X. 

JOHNSTON LEAVES THE VALLEY. 

Jackson fell back slowly, continuing to show a bold front to 
the enemy, and, reaching his camp, struck tents and moved every 
thing to the rear. He then continued to retire, but about a mile 
further put his artillery in position, drew up his brigade, and, in 

* The writer is indebted to General Pendleton for a detailed accoimt of 
this enp;ap;ement. 



54 I.IFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

the words of an officer who was intimately associated with him 
in these movements, " determined to meet the whole invading 
force if it should come up, satisfied that he could, by the blessing 
of God, cripple if not crush it." 

The Federal column did not advance, however, upon him in 
front. The flanking movement continued ; and to avoid this, 
Jackson again retreated. Passing through Martinsburg late in 
the afternoon, he reached Big Spring, about two miles from the 
town, on the road to Winchester, where he bivouacked for tlie 
night. He Avas still " full of fight," and anxious to bring on a 
general engagement before General Patterson's full force came 
up. During the action in the forenoon he had sent repeated 
despatches to General Johnston, announcing the state of afiairs, 
and urging him to advance with his main body and attack the 
Federal commander before he reached Martinsburg. Failing in 
this hope, he still expected reenforcements, and during the entire 
night of the 2d of July listened anxiously for the approach of 
the troops which would enable him to attack Patterson on the 
next day. The commands of Bee and Elzey were promised, 
but they did not come, and Jackson's impatience amounted 
finally to something nearly resembling wTath. 

Tue night passed, morning came, and the day passed on — 
still no reenforcements came. General Patterson had mean- 
while advanced unopposed and occupied Martinsburg, where- 
upon Jackson fell back again, halting this time at the village of 
Darksville, seven miles from the town. Here he was met by 
General Johnston with his whole command, and the troops were 
speedily disposed in line of battle upon the hills and in the fields 
surrounding the village. FiUed with ardor at the expected 
battle, Jackson was indefatigable in marshalling his force for 
the conflict ; and, remaining hour after hovir in the saddle, chose 
carefully the position to be occupied by each regiment of his 
brigade. It was on this occasion, while riding over the ground 
with Captain Pendleton, that he said : " Captain, I want my 
brigade to feel that it can itself whip Patterson's whole army, 
and I believe it can do it ! " 



JOHNSTON LEAVES THE VALLEY. 55 

Johnston remained at Darksville, drawn up in line of battle, 
foi' four days. He was unwilling to attack General Patterson 
in the town of Martinsburg, whose solid stone buildings and en- 
closures of masonry gave him every advantage against an assail- 
ing force, and hoped, by occupying a position so threatening in 
the Federal commander's front, to bring him out of his defences 
to battle in the open fields. His own force was less than half 
that of his opponent, and his supplies of ammunition were ter- 
ribly meagre ; but trusting to the valor of the troops, he deter- 
mined to bring on a general engagement and risk all results. 

This challenge continued, as we have said, for four days ; 
the troops in order of battle, and every hour expecting an ad- 
vance of the enemy. None, however, took place, and on the 
fourth day General Johnston, leaving Stuart with his cavalry in 
front of the enemy, moved with his command back to Winches- 
ter, " much to the disappointment of our troops, who were eager 
for battle with the invaders." * 

The men on this occasion almost broke out into open mur- 
murs. They had been subjected persistently day after day to 
the excitement of an expected action, and now that they were 
ordered to fall into column and march back, their dissatisfaction 
was bitter, and they construed the movement into a want of 
courage and enterprise on the part of their commander. They 
did not know the scarred veteran commanding them. That 
officer looked beyond the moment, and his course was soon vin- 
dicated by the progress of events. Woven into the warp and 
woof of his thoughts and meditations was ^^ Manassas" 

A few days after the arrival of the army at Winchester, 
Jackson received his commission of brigadier-general, remain- 
ing in command of the First Brigade, to which was added about 
this time the 33d Vii'ginia regiment. Colonel A. C. Gumming. 
This appointment was probably made at the instance of General 
Johnston, who thoroughly understood the capacity of Jackson, 
and no doubt urged his promotion. It made little difference in 

* Johnston's Official Report. 



56 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

his position, and none at all in bis personal demeanor or appear- 
ance. He appeared before bis brigade in tbe same old gray 
coat wbicb be bad always worn ; and tbe only observable cir- 
cumstance was tbat tbe little known individual, " Colonel Jack- 
son," bad assumed that name of " General Jackson," by which 
he is now known. 

No further movements of interest marked tbe campaign in 
this region — beginning and ending with the skirmish at Falling 
Waters ; and we linger too long, perhaps, amid these eai'ly 
scenes of the career which we have undertaken to depict. 
Mightier events were on tbe march ; the Federal authorities 
were now ready to strike their great blow at the main body of 
the Confederates at Manassas. Here Jackson was to display, 
in their fullest extent, those qualities of stubborn courage and 
resolution which characterized him, to win his name of " Stone- 
wall," and to arouse that enthusiasm which in the latter months 
of his life became so universal. To this gi-eat drama we shall 
now proceed. 

General Patterson soon left Martinsburg, and advanced upon 
Winchester. His force, according to the best information, now 
numbered about 32,000 men, while Johnston's had been also 
swollen by the arrival of eight additional regiments from tbe 
South. The design of the Federal commander was to hold 
General Johnston in check, while General McDowell, with the 
" Grand Army " of 55,000 men, advanced to crush Beauregard 
at Manassas. It was now the 15th of July ; the Federal col- 
umns were in motion from Washington, and in three days would 
be in front of Bull Run. General Patterson accordingly moved 
from Martinsburg — Stuart retiring with bis cavalry before him 
— and on the 16tb was in position at Bunker Hill. Tbe critical 
moment bad now arrived ; every hour counted. On tbe 17th 
General Patterson knew, by telegraph, tbat the " Grand Army " 
was at Fairfax Court-House, within a few hours' march of 
Beauregard's position ; and a further movement was promptly 
made to hold Johnston in the valley. General Patterson swung 
bis left wing roimd to tbe little village of Smithfield, in the direc- 



JOHNSTON LEAVES THE VALLEY. 57 

tion of Berryville, and in this position awaited any movement 
of Johnston, with the evident design of holding him in check, or 
attacking him in flank if he endeavored to march to the assist- 
ance of Beam-egard by the route of Ashby's Gap. 

It was only at one o'clock in the morning, on the 18th of 
July, and when the "Grand Army" had driven in the Con- 
federate advance force at Manassas, that a telegraphic despatch 
from the Government at Richmond announced the critical state 
of affairs to Johnston. He was directed, if practicable, to send 
his sick back to Culpepper Court-House, to evacuate- Winchester, 
and hasten to the assistance of Beauregard. 

The good judgment showed by General Johnston in the 
evacuation of Harper's Ferry now became apparent. The road 
to Manassas was unobstructed, and the way open for his march. 
To go to the assistance of the Army of the Potomac, it was 
necessary either to defeat General Patterson or to ehide him. 
The latter course was chosen as the most speedy and certain, 
and preparations were immediately made to commence the 
movement. The number of the sick — some 1,700 — rendering 
it impossible to remove them at so short a notice, they were left 
at Winchester ; and the defence of that point, where some earth- 
works had been thrown up and a few heavy guns mounted, was 
entrusted to the mihtia of the region under Generals Carson and 
Meem. Stuart posted a cordon of cavalry pickets from the 
neighborhood of Smithfield along by Summit Point and Rippon 
to the Shenandoah, completely cutting off all communication and 
concealing every movement ; and having thus guarded against 
every contingency in the best manner possible, Johnston left 
Winchester behind him, and commenced his march by way of 
Ashby's Gap, toward the east. 

The valley region wiE long be alive with traditions of this 
gi'eat flank movement, and the spirit exhibited by the men. 
They had so often formed line of battle in front of the enemy, 
only to retire afterwards without fighting, that, as we have said, 
the troops at one time nearly broke out into open murmurs 
against their commander. They did not know that frequently. 



58 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

when his bristling guns threatened the foe with their grim muz- 
zles from every hillock, those guns were scarcely supplied with 
a round of ammuuition, and that no one could he more disap- 
pointed at the necessity for rctmng than the general himself. 
Now, however, when the order for the march to Manassas came, 
all murmurs disappeared. They responded eagerly to the in- 
spiring summons, and filled the air with cheers. Through 
Frederick and Clai-ke, across the Opequon and through the 
little village of Millwood, wading the clear waters of the She- 
nandoah with its margins of drooping foliage, and toiling up 
the rough pathway through Ashby's Gap, the troops went upon 
their way, without rations, ignorant of their destination, caring 
for nothing, and knowing one thing only, that the moment for 
action had arrived. On the way a message from Beauregard 
reached Johnston by an officer who killed his horse to carry it. 
This message was : " If you wish to help me, now is the time." 
Johnston hastened on, his troops half famished, but with spirits 
that rose above hunger and fatigue. Stuart drew in his pickets, 
slowly put his little column in motion to cover the rear, and, 
striking across by Berryville, passed last through the Gap, and 
then pushed on to the front. At Piedmont the exhausted in- 
fantry were embarked on a train of the Manassas Gap Railroad ; 
the cavalry and artillery continued their march, and the Army 
of the Shenandoah hastened toward Manassas. 

The larger portion of the troops arrived about noon on the 
20th of July. Among the first was Jackson's brigade, which 
was directed to take up a position in the pine thickets opposite 
Mitchell's ford, the centre of the Confederate line. 

The morning of the memorable 21st found Jackson here, 
with 2,611 muskets, awaiting orders. 



ADVANCE OF THE GEAND AEMY. 59 

CHAPTER XI. 

ADVANCE OF THE GRAND ARMY. 

The battle of Manassas possesses an interest peculiar to 
itself. It was not remarkable for the loss on either side ; in- 
deed, the casualties were comparatively trifling. Beyond ex- 
hibiting the prowess of the Southern troops, it accomplished no 
tangible results. And yet this battle will continue to hold its 
place among the most celebrated conflicts in the annals of the 
world. 

The explanation of this singular attraction will be found in the 
terribly dramatic character of the conflict. It took place under 
circumstances which drew to the arena the eyes of all the 
world. Here two great races — members of a Republic which 
had held together for three generations — first tried their strength 
upon the battle field, and fought breast to breast for victory. 

It was the first great battle of the war ; was fought with 
stubborn persistence and enormous bitterness. Hour after hour 
the Northern and Southern lines reeled to and fro on the bloody 
plateau, in desperate attempts to remain the masters of it ; and 
the world still listens to the story of the shifting fortunes of the 
hard-fought day with indescribable interest. Much more ab- 
sorbing is the subject to those who took part in the engagement. 
Its bloody scenes rise up once more before the eyes, and its thun- 
ders again ring in the memory. 

The fortunes of this memorable day were decided, as we 
shall show, by the " First Brigade " of the Army of the Shenan- 
doah, under Jackson. The battle is thus intimately connected 
with the subject of this volume, and we shall give its main 
events, leaving, however, to the regular historian of the entire 
Revolution, the task of gathering up and placing upon record the 
minute details. 

The blow about to be struck at Manassas was intended by 



60 LITE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

the Federal authorities to be decisive, aad many things com 
bined to make them certain of success. The North had re 
sponded to the appeal of the President with immense prompt- 
ness and enthusiasm ; and when he called for an army of 
400,000 meu and a loan of $400,000,000, Congress had voted 
these great supplies with acclamation. Volunteers to invade 
the South rushed to the Federal standard in great numbers, and 
events occurring about the middle of July increased still further 
the general enthusiasm. General Pegram, of the Confederate 
army, was forced to surrender his whole command at Rich 
Mountain, in Western Virginia, and General Garnett was de- 
feated and killed at Carrick's ford. Everywhere disaster seemed 
to attend the Soutliern arms, and there appeared to be some jus- 
tice in the dictum of the Northern journalists, who had described 
the revolution as a " local commotion " only, or, in language 
still more forcible, as an " unborn tadpole." Until the capital of 
the Confederacy, however, was captm-ed, and the government 
dispersed, the great end was unaccomplished. The Southern 
forces at Manassas lay in the path ; Patterson had accomplished 
nothing against Johnston, and to defeat these two bodies of 
troops was essential to the Federal success. To attain this im- 
portant object, what was called by the newspapers the " Grand 
Army " was speedily organized at Washington. 

Great attention was paid to the organization and equipment 
of this force, upon which so much depended. The troops were 
armed with the best weapons, and the artillery was numerous 
and excellent. The cavalry arm was numerous but defective, 
and two or three years of hard fighting were necessary to show 
the importance of that branch to the service ; but at this time 
cavalry Avas not considered necessary. It was universally be- 
lieved at the North that the splendid body of infantry assembled 
at Washington would be able to march, without serious opposi- 
tion, to Richmond, and the campaign appears to have been re- 
garded rather as a summer excursion than as the initial move- 
ment of a long and bloody war. This conviction was apparent 
in tlie personal equipments of the men, and the articles of con- 




^ 



^,«=-^2^.>.-,.^-.<=.^ 



ADVANCE OF THE GRAND ARMY. 61 

veiiierice and luxury which they carried Avilh them. The army 
rations were varied by large supplies of preserved meats, cor- 
dials, liquors, wines, and every luxury to tempt the palate. 
Excellent oilrcloths protected the troops from the damp, and 
white "havelocks" warded off the burning rays of the sun. 
The march was looked upon as a froKc. 

With the United States regulars, who had been summoned 
from the West, the " Grand Army " amounted, by Federal ac- 
counts, to about 55,000 men, with 9 regiments of cavalry, and 
12 batteries of rifled artillery, numbering 49 guns. It was 
placed under the command of Major-General Irwin Mc- 
Dowell, an officer of ability, and its movements directed by 
Lieutenant-General Winfield Scott, a Virginian, who had re- 
tained his position in the United States Army, and now com- 
manded all the Federal armies. 

Such was the force which was ready by the middle of July 
to advance upon General Beauregard at Manassas. His own 
army consisted of 21,833 muskets, and 29 pieces of smooth-bore 
artillery, with about 3 companies of cavalry. By the arrival 
subsequently of General Johnston, with 8,333 muskets, 300 
cavalry, and 20 guns, and General Holmes from the lower Po- 
tomac, with 1,265 muskets and 6 guns, Beauregard's force 
was increased to 31,431 muskets, 55 guns, and about 500 cav- 
alry. 

The Confederate commander had taken position upon Bull 
Run, a small watercourse which rises near Aldie, and flowing 
aroimd Manassas Junction, empties into the Occoquan. The 
banks of this stream were abrupt, and densely wooded ; but it 
was fordable in numerous places, and was crossed on the Centre- 
ville and Warrenton road, below Sudley Church, by the " Stone 
Bridge," a solid and not unpicturesque structure of brown stone, 
near which the battle of Manassas was fought. 

General Beauregard had posted his troops along this water- 
course, behind earthworks, from Union Mills nearly to Stone 
Bridge, a distance of about eight miles, ready to meet the Federal 
forces should they attempt to cross at any of the fords. His 



G2 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

centre rested at Mitchell's ford, on the direct road from Centre- 
ville to Manassas ; and opposite this point, Jackson, it will be 
remembered, had been directed to take up his position. 

The Federal army moved forward on the 16th of July, and 
on the morning of the 17th entered Fairfax Court-House, Gen- 
eral Bonham, who commanded the Confederate advance guard 
at that place, retiring slowly before them. He continued to fall 
back all day, his rear skirmishing with the Federal advance ; 
and after making a brief stand at Centreville after dark, and 
throwing up signals to warn General Beauregard of his approach, 
retired, at daylight on the 18th, within the lines on Bull Run. 

About ten in the forenoon the enemy appeared, and opened 
an artillery fire upon the Confederate centre at Mitchell's ford ; 
but the dense woods concealed the troops from view, and no 
loss was inflicted. This was followed by an obstinate attack 
upon General Longstreet, who was placed with 1,200 muskets 
at Blackburn's ford below. A force of about 3,000 Federal 
infantry drove in his advance on the north bank of the stream, 
and, supported by a heavy fire of artillery, attempted to force 
their Avay across the ford. Three vigorous charges were made 
to attain tliis object, but all were repvdsed. Longstreet's in- 
fantry, although unprotected by earthworks, fought with great 
nerve, and the Federal infantry finally retired ; the affair turning 
into an " artillery duel," as General Beauregai'd styled it, in 
which the guns of the Washington Artillery of New Orleans 
were handled Avith great skill, and inflicted some loss upon the 
enemy. Soon afterwards the Federal infantry retired from 
Longstreet's front. 

Such was " the battle of the 18th," as it is called — the pre- 
lude to the greater struggle on the 21st. The Confederate loss 
was 15 killed and 55 wounded ; the Federal loss 64 left dead 
upon the field, the number wounded not known. 

These two unsuccessful attacks, at Mitchell's and Black- 
bui'n's fords, upon the Confederate front, induced the Federal 
commander to abandon the further attempt to break through 
Beauregard's line. His attention was now turned to the left 



MANASSAS. 63 

flank of the Confederate army, and preparations were made to 
strike a decisive blow in that direction. 

On the night of the 20th all was ready for this movement, 
and at daylight on the 21st the Federal columns were far upon 
their way. 



CHAPTER XII. 

2iIANASSAS. 



A GLANCE at the map will give the reader a clearer idea of 
the movements which now took place, than any description can 
convey. 

Beauregard's forces were strung out along the southern 
bank of Bull Run, over a space of nearly eight miles — from 
Union MUls to Stone Bridge ; and the design of the Federal 
commander was to move his main body silently through the 
woods to the Confederate left, cross the upper fords of the 
stream, and, falling upon Beauregard's flank, drive him back 
upon Manassas, or cut him oflT completely from that base. He 
would then be compelled to hasten from his earthworks, form 
line of battle anew with a powerful enemy pressing him, and, in 
case he was defeated, as he probably would be, the victory 
would be decisive. 

The details of the plan of operations betrayed the skilful 
hand of Lie uten ant-General Scott. One division of about 
16,000 men was to remain behind at CentreviUe, to protect the 
Federal communications ; another to march to Stone Bridge 
with orders to make demonstrations there ; and a third to move 
up to Red House ford, with directions to wait until that point 
was uncovered Then a third was to cross at Sudley ford, still 
higher vip, and drive away the Confederate forces at Red House 
ford and Stone Bridge, when the divisions there would cross ; 
and thus a force of about 40,000 men would be concentrated 
upon the southern banks of Bull Run, directly upon Beauregard's 



64r LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

left flank. Then one determined charge, and tlie end would 
crown the work. 

The movements to attain this object commenced in presence 
of a great crowd of spectators — editors, idlers, sensation hunters, 
and even ladies — who had hastened with eager curiosity from 
the Federal capital to witness the defeat of the Southern forces. 
Champagne and every delicacy had been sent to Centreville to 
celebrate the anticipated victory ; and on the 20th that town and 
the camps around it were the scene, it is said, of something like 
a carnival. The excited crowd were listening for the thunder 
of the guns from those " mysterious Virginia forests " so often 
mentioned, and thei-e was little or no doubt in any mind of the 
result. Lieutenant-General Scott, and others who kneAV some 
what better the mettle of the South, probably experienced no 
little anxiety ; but the crowd of spectators seem to have been 
firm in their faith of a great Federal triumph. 

Meanwhile the colimans were moving, and during the night 
of the 20th scouts brought word to General Beauregard, who 
directed operations under General Johnston, that the enemy 
were concentrating on the Warrenton road. The probability of 
an attack upon the Confederate left wing was apparent, and at 
four in the morning orders Avei'e despatched to all his command- 
ers, by General Beauregard, to hold the troops in readiness to 
march at a moment's warning. The design was, as soon as the 
enemy's intentions were fully developed, to advance and attack 
him in flank and reverse at Centreville, a point completely in his 
rear. This excellent plan was never carried out, however, owing 
to some fatality which attended the transmission of the orders ; 
and the battle of Manassas commenced and ended south of the 
Stone Bridge. 

The ground there is an extensive plateau, rising about one 
hundred feet above the level of the sti*eam, and consisting of 
open fields, which fall oflT in gentle slopes, furrowed at intervals 
by ravines. In these ravines grew clumps of bushes, and the 
southern and eastern brows of the plateau were skirted with a 
thick growth of young pines. The only buildings to be seen 



MANASSAS. 05 

were the Henry and Robinson houses, plain wooden structures, 
and the well-known " stone house " near the intersection of the 
Warrenton road, and that extending from Manassas to Sudlej 
ford, which is known as the Sudley-Brentsville road. Near 
this point was a belt of oak forest, where the final struggle took 
place. 

The Federal advance force was moving toward the Confed- 
erate left all night, and, following a narrow road through the 
" Big Forest," reached Sudley ford about eight in the morn- 
ing. This column consisted of Hunter's and Heintzelman's 
divisions ; and the division opposite Stone Bridge having opened 
fire on the Confederates and attracted their attention. General 
Himter at once threw his command across, and advanced rapidly 
to the attack. 

The extreme Confederate left at Stone Bridge was held by 
Colonel Evans, with fifteen companies of infantry and Latham's 
battery of smooth-bore six-pounders. He did not reply to the 
artillery fire of the enemy, his guns being useless for that pur- 
pose ; but when they threw forward a line of skirmishers, met 
them and engaged in a desultory skirmish, which lasted for three 
hours without result. It was now half-past eight, and General 
Hunter was over. Evans had become convinced that the attack 
upon him was merely a demonstration to cover other objects, 
and intelligence soon reached him showing the truth of this sur- 
mise. A heavy force was reported to be moving against his 
tiank, and, taking eleven of his fifteen companies, he hastened 
forward by the Carter house, and, drawing up his line across the 
Sudley-BrentsviUe road, with his artillery on the high ground in 
rear, received the enemy's attack. 

The conflict which immediately took place at this point 
was very severe. The force of Colonel Evans was 800 in- 
fantry and two six-pound guns ; that of General Hunter, by 
Federal accounts, 16,000 infantry, 7 companies of cavalry, and 
24 pieces of artUlery ; of which force 3,500 muskets and 8 guns 
were at once thrown forward into action. The Federal division 
hastening down from Red House ford would make the force op- 
5 



GG LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

posed to Evans not far from 30,000 men, and to check this col- 
umn even for a moment, with 800 muskets, seemed impossible. 
It was necessary, however, to make the attempt, and the men 
responded with ardor. The regiment was the 4th South Caro- 
lina, supported by a company of Wheat's battalion, and tlie men 
were called on at once to meet a vigorous charge of the 2d Rhode 
Island, supported by the lire of six thirteen-pound rifles. The 
struggle was bitter and determined. Wheat was severely 
wounded, but his Louisianians fought only the harder for it, 
and Evans succeeded in repulsing the charge. His object now 
was to hold his ground as long as possible, in order to give 
General Beauregard time to send forward reenforcemcnts and 
form his new line of battle ; and the difRculty Avhich the enemy 
experienced in forcing him back is a high compliment to Colonel 
Evans and his men. They fought with desperation, but were 
slowly being pressed back by the heavy Federal line when the 
promised succor came. General Bee, who had been ordered to 
repair as quickly as possible with his own command and that of 
General Bartow to the left, reached the plateau in rear of Evans 
while the fight was raging, and perceiving the strength of the 
position, drew up his whole command, consisting of four regi- 
ments, two companies, and a battery, near the " Henry house." 
Finding, however, that Colonel Evans was hard pressed, he 
promptly advanced to his assistance, and, reaching the field of 
action, disposed his forces upon Evans' right, with his battery 
on the high ground in rear. He arrived just in time. The 
Southern line was just giving way before the advance of fresh 
Federal troops, which poured in a steady and destructive fire, 
when the appearance of the Confederate reenforcement gave a 
new aspect to affairs. Bee rapidly advanced with his four regi- 
ments — the 7th and 8th Georgia, 4th Alabama, and 2d Missis- 
sippi — and, taking command of the field, threw himself with 
ardor into the action. 

It was at once renewed with additional fury. Bee's regi- 
ments fought with such gallantry, that, as one of them afterwards, 
with thinned and bleeding ranks, marched off the field, General 



MANASSAS. 67 

Beauregard raised his hat as they passed, and exclaimed, " I 
salute the 8th Georgia with my hat off ! History shall never 
forget you ! " The gallantry of the others was equally marked, 
and for an hour the blended commands of Bee and Evans faced 
the great force opposed to them unmoved. The moment came, 
however, when the term of further resistance was reached. 
Many oificers had fallen, the men were exhausted, and still the 
dark columns of Federal infantry grew heavier as their rear 
closed up. Bee's force, with that of Evans, was somewhat more 
than five regiments, with six guns ; the force opposed to him, 
from Federal accounts, two divisions, consisting of eight 
brigades, with seventeen companies of regular infantry, cavalry, 
and artillery, and twenty rifle pieces. 

In face of this great odds Bee was slowly forced to give 
ground. His thin lines were swept by a destructive fire of mus- 
ketry from the Federal troops, sheltered behind stone fences, 
and the rifle guns of Ricketts and others filled the air with a 
whirlwind of iron. General Bartow, Bee's second in command, 
had had his horse shot under him, and was fighting on foot ; 
Wheat had been borne from the field, and the ground over which 
the opposing lines had fought was covered with dead bodies and 
bathed in blood. The astonishing spectacle had been presented 
of regiments holding their ground against brigades, and sustain- 
ing without confusion the,,fire of many times their number for 
hours ; but the men were now exhausted, hope began to desert 
them, and Bee saw that he must fall back in the best order he 
could to escape destruction. He gave the order to retire just as 
the brigades of Sherman and Keyes, which had crossed at Red 
House ford, pressed down upon his flank. 

The scene which ensued was one of painful disaster to the 
Southerners. The Federal troops swept forward with triumph- 
ant cheers, and as Bee's shattered battalions fell back in full re- 
treat, poured into them a more rapid and galling fire than before. 
The Federal artillery redoubled its fire, and the retreat became 
every moment more disordered. The bristling battalions of 
Federal infantry rushed upon their prey ; the merciless fusillade 



68 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

continued without intermission, and the fields were strewed 
with the dying and the dead. Dust, blood, the lightning of mus- 
ketry, and the thunder of artillery, made the scene one of inex 
pressible anguish and despair. 

Bee had aimed to retire in something like order to the 
plateau near the Henry house, and make a stand there, in a 
stronger position ; but the quick eye of the soldier now told him 
that all was lost. No exertions which he made could restore 
good order ; and though he rode to and fro, amid the storm of 
bullets, beseeching the troops by all they held dear to rally to 
their colors until reenforcements came, he could not reform his 
line. His voice was not heard, or his commands were disobeyed. 
All was over. 

Such was the condition of things when the glitter of bayonets 
caught the eyes of Bee, beyond the Henry house hiU ; and a 
courier brought word that the reenforcements were coming at 
last. Bee galloped in the dii'ection of the fresh troops ; they 
were the First Brigade, under Jackson. He had been sent some 
time before to support General Cocke, below Stone Bridge, but, 
hearing the hot fire upon the left, had moved his brigade in that 
direction. As he pressed on rapidly, the disordered troops of 
Bee and Evans swept by toward the rear, but the First Brigade 
continued to advance. All at once Bee appeared, approaching at 
full gallop, and he and Jackson were soon face to face. The 
latter was cool and composed ; Bee, covered Avith dust and 
sweat, with his drawn sword in his hand, his horse foaming. 
In the bitter despair of his heart he could only groan out, 
" General, they are beating us back ! " 

The face of Jackson betrayed no coi'responding emotion. 
He had his " war look" on, but that was never a look of excite- 
ment. His eye glittered, and, in the ctirt tone habitual with him, 
he said coolly, " Sir, we will give them the bayonet." 

These words seemed to act upon Bee like the ring of a 
clarion. He galloped back to his men, and, pointing with his 
sword to Jackson, shouted, " Look ! there is Jackson standing 
like a stone wall ! Let us determine to die here, and we will 



MANASSAS. 69 

conquer ! " His command was partially rallied ; the detach- 
ments took their position on the right, and Jackson's line swept 
steadily on toward the plateau. 

In a moment the whole aspect of affairs had undergone a 
change. The Federal forces, which were rushing forward in 
pursuit of the broken battalions of Bee, saw themselves suddenly 
confronted by 2,600 bayonets, and their advance was checked. 
At the same moment the 600 infantry of Colonel Wade Hamp- 
ton, who had held the Warrenton road against Keyes, repulsing 
him, until his position was completely flanked, fell back and 
took position on the right. Met thus by Jackson and by Hamp- 
ton, whose splendid nerve was afterwards exhibited upon so 
many memorable fields, the Federal lines came to a halt. The 
First Brigade was in position, the troops ready and eager. From 
this rock the wave went back. 

There is no doubt that the presence of Jackson at this crisis 
saved the fortunes of the day. No other troops were near, and 
in thirty minutes the enemy would have been strongly posted 
upon the plateau near the Henry house . The retreat of General 
Beauregard upon Manassas would have followed, or a desperate 
assault upon earthworks occupied by the bulk of the Federal army. 

The current of battle, only for a moment checked, now began 
to move again with greater force than before. The Federal 
battalions pressed across the Warrenton road, and rapidly ad- 
vanced toward the Plenry house, where the hottest portion of 
the struggle was to take place. Jackson had formed his line 
just under the eastern crest of the plateau, with Hampton and 
the shattered remnants of the commands of Bee and Evans in a 
ravine and forest on his right ; in front of him he had placed two 
guns of Stanard's battery, which kept up a steady fire as the 
enemy continued to advance. The 4th and 27th Virginia infan- 
try formed his centre, the 5th Vii'ginia his right, and the 2d 
and 33d Virginia his left. The instructions given by Jackson to 
his troops were, " to charge the enemy with the bayonet so soon 
as they should appear over the crest, and within about fifty yards." * 

* Jackson to Colonel J. M. Bennett, July 28th, 1861, in Appendix. 



70 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

As Jackson took position to check the Federal advance, 
Generals Johnston and Beauregard appeared upon the field. 
They had up to that time remained upon a lofty hill in rear of 
Mitchell's ford, near the centre of the Confederate line, and, 
hearing the continuous roar upon the left, had waited anxiously, 
says General Beaui*egard, for similar sounds from the front, as 
an order had been sent for the whole right wing of the army to 
advance and attack the enemy at Centreville. At half-past ten 
a despatch from General Ewell, at Union Mills, conveyed the 
mortifying intelligence that the order had never been received ; and 
as it was now too late to make the movement, the whole attention 
of the Confederate commanders was dii'ected to the left. The 
entire body of reserves was ordered to repaii* without delay to 
that point, and Johnston and Beauregard set out at a rapid 
gallop for the scene of action, which they reached about noon, 
just as Jackson had opened fire with his artillery. 

The spectacle at this moment was one of absorbing interest. 
Through the dust and smoke which filled the valleys and swept 
across the hills, were seen the heavy masses of Federal infantry 
rapidly forming upon the plateau ; and from this cloud came the 
thunder of artillery, the roll of musketry, and the confused 
shouts of the combatants. At a single coup d^oeil, the glance 
embraced the artillery-swept plateau and the sheltering ravines, 
the glitter of bayonets, the red glai-e of the cannon, and the 
forms of the officers as they passed to and fro rallying or cheer- 
ing on the troops. Jackson's men could scarcely be seen. They 
were lying down in line of battle, under the crest of the plateau, 
awaiting the order to advance. 

Generals Johnston and Beauregard found affairs in a most 
critical condition, ^ee and Evans Avere overpowered, and un- 
less Jackson and Hampton could hold their position until reen- 
forcements arrived, the day was lost. Galloping up and down 
the disordered lines of Bee, they appealed to the men by all they 
valued on earth to rally to their standards ; and seizing the colors 
of the 4th Alabama, Johnston led them forward, and formed 
lliem in face of a heavy fire. Beauregard was meanwhile en- 



MANASSAS. 71 

gaged in cheering on the men in every portion of the field. The 
animation of his Creole blood burned in his dark face, and rang 
in the inspiring tones of his voice, as in brief soldierly phrase he 
called upon the troops to follow him. As the reserves came up, 
he rapidly formed them under heavy fire, and soon had a line 
of battle consisting of, on the extreme right, Bee and Evans ; in the 
centre, Jackson, with his four regiments, and thirteen guns under 
Colonel Pendleton ; and on the left, the remnant of the 7th 
Georgia, the 49th Virginia battalion, the 2d Mississippi, and the 
6th North Carolina. Hampton's legion, the 8th Virginia, and 
Jackson's 5th Virginia supported the right, as a reserve. On 
the right of all was a company of cavalry, and on the extreme 
left flank, another under Stuart, 

This force consisted of 6,500 infantry and cannoneers, 2 com- 
panies of cavalry, and 13 pieces of artillery. The Federal 
force in line of battle, by their official statement, was some- 
what more than 20,000 infantry, with 7 companies of regular 
cavalry and 24 pieces of artillery. About 35,000 reserves were 
at CentreviUe, Stone Bridge, and opposite the low^er fords. 

The coming shock was to be borne by the Confederate cen- 
tre, composed of the Virginia regiments of Jackson. Fresh, 
thoroughly disciplined, and commanded by a soldier of known 
coolness and courage, these regiments were rightly regarded as 
the chief dependence of the Confederate commander in holding 
his ground until reenforcements arrived. Jackson was indefati- 
gable in encouraging his men, and rode up and down his lines 
in the midst of a heavy fire, with an unconcern which had an 
excellent effect upon the untried youths of his command. He 
had placed his artillery in front, without cover, and the can- 
noneers served the pieces with ardor, returning rapidly the fire 
of the Federal batteries, which were planted upon every rising 
ground in front. " I fully expected them all to be killed in that 
position," he said afterwards, " yet felt that the occasion de- 
manded the sacrifice." His infantry was lying down about one 
hundred yards in rear of the guns, and as the familiar figure of 
their commander passed to and fro on his bay horse, the men 



72 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

heard the calm lips utter constantly the words, " Steady, boys ! 
steady — all's well!" Those who saw him on this occasion 
noticed especially his coolness. " A more earnest yet calm ex- 
pression," says General Pendleton, " I have never seen upon 
human countenance." 

No material change took place in the positions of the op- 
posing forces until about two o'clock, when the Federal lines 
were pushed forward, and their batteries advanced, inclining 
to the right, with the evident intention of securing an oblique 
fire upon Jackson's front. In doing so one of them approached 
so near Colonel Cummings' regiment — the 33d Virginia — that he 
charged and captured it, but owing to the destructive fire of 
musketry was obliged to retire and abandon the guns. This 
movement of their artillery was the prelude to a new and more 
determined advance of the Federal troops. Their infantry, 
swarming upon the face of the plateau, was massed in the vicin- 
ity of the Henry house, and all at once the bristling lines were 
thrown forward, and hurled with fury upon the Confederate cen- 
tre. As they moved, the artillery under Pendleton greeted them 
with a discharge of canister at close range, and then withdrew 
at a gallop to the high ground across the little valley, where 
they continued to fire upon the Federal forces as they rushed 
forward at a double-quick to the charge. 

Jackson met this charge with the bayonet. They were now 
so close upon him, as, in his own words, " to call for the free 
use of the bayonet ; and I accordingly ordered the charge to be 
made, which cut the enemy's centre, and thus separated his 
v.ings." The scene described and dismissed in these few simple 
words, was one of the most stirring and magnificent spectacles 
of the war. The long and glittering lines. of Federal infantry, 
supported by the fire of their finest batteries, were almost in 
contact with Jackson, when he ordered his men to charge. 
They responded with wild cheers, and, firing a heavy volley, 
rushed forward with all the ardor of volunteers. The enemy 
met them with determination ; and with one mad yell arising 
from both adversaries, and mingling its savage echoes, the sur 



MAJSTASSAS. 73 

ging masses came together. The scene which followed is inde- 
scribable. The thunder of artillery and the sustained crash of 
musketry rolled like some diabolical concert across the hills, and 
the opposing lines were lost in a dense cloud of smoke, from 
which rose shouts, yells, cheers, and the groans of the dying. 

Jackson had charged without orders, from the necessity ol 
his situation ; but General Beauregard, it seems, had at nearly 
the same moment ordered his whole front to advance. At 
this order the troops rushed to the attack with an ardor and 
enthusiasm never afterwards surpassed during the war. The 
men seemed inspired with a species of fury almost, which made 
them careless of wounds and death. One who was carried dy- 
ing from the field, exclaimed, with clenched hands, " They^ve 
done for me now, but my father's there yet ! — our army's there 
yet ! — our cause is there yet ! — and liberty's there yet ! " The 
officers set a chivalric example to the troops, and suiFered heav 
ily. Hampton was shot while bravely leading on his men. Bee 
fell mortally wounded at the head of the Alabamians and Geor 
gians, near the Henry house, grasping the sword presented tt 
him by South Carolina, and urging on his men to the last. Col 
onel Fisher, of North Carolina, was killed ; Colonels Gartrell 
and Falkner wounded ; and General Bartow, who had said, " I 
shall go into that fight with a determination never to leave the 
field alive, but in victory," was shot through the heart while 
rallying the 7th Georgia, and fell, exclaiming to the men around 
him, " They've killed me, but never give up the field ! " 

In the midst of this hot struggle Jackson's equanimity re- 
mained unshaken. He does not seem, during any portion of the 
battle, to have contemplated disaster or defeat, and opposed to 
the agitation and flurry of many around him a demeanor en- 
tirely unmoved. When an officer rode up to him, and exclaimed 
with gi-eat excitement, " General, I think the day is going against 
us ! " Jackson replied, with entire coolness in his brief, curt 
one, " If you think so, sir, you had better not say any thing 
about it." 

His bayonet charge had pierced the Federal centre, sepa- 



74 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

rating the two wings ; but such was their preponderance of num- 
bers that this advantage not only became of doubtful value, but 
the Confederate line was in danger of being enveloped by the 
heavy uiasscs closing in upon its flanks. Jackson put forth all 
his strength to retain his vantage grouiid ; and the enemy made 
corresponding exertions to drive him from the plateau. At this 
stage the struggle reached its utmost intensity. In portions of 
the field, especially near the Henry house, the opposing lines 
fought almost breast to breast ; and though repeatedly repulsed, 
the Federal infantry constantly returned with new vigor to the 
charge. Still the Confederate front remained unbroken. Led 
by determined officers, who kept their ranks closed up, and 
cheered them by Avord and example, the troops continued to 
hold their ground upon the plateau — especially the first brigade, 
which occupied the dangerous and important position in the 
centre. The Federal line had first been broken by this brigade, 
and now was destined to receive from it the coup de grace. 

Jackson had held his position for, about au hour ; and this 
had enabled General Beauregard to hurry forward troops from 
the lines along Bull Run. These were at last in position, and, 
taking command of them in person. General Beauregard, about 
three o'clock, ordered the whole line to advance and make a de- 
cisive assault.* Jackson still held the centre, and, although 
wounded in the hand by a fragment of shell, paid no attention 
to the accident. At the word, his brigade rushed forward, broke 
through the Federal line in front of them, and, supported by the 
reserves, drove the enemy from the plateau, across the Warren- 
ton road, into the fields of the Dogan farm. 

The decisive success had been mainly achieved by Jackson's 
command, and he proudly Avrote to a friend soon afterwards : 
" You will find, when my report shall be published, that the First 

* The writer is unable to state the number of Confederate troops in this 
final charge. He is able, however, to vouch for the statement that the bulk 
of General Beauregard's forces under Longstrcet, Bonhani, and Ewell were 
still retained at the lower fords to guard that front. The brunt of the battle 
thus continued to be borne by the Army of the Shenandoah, 




Ing>lyEB.Bai Jl . 



(GEWEISAL ©,To E^EAOJGSEiSAPiE:' 



ITea"? Toxk.l 



MAJSTASSAS. Y5 

Brigade was to our army what the Imperial Guard was to the 
first Napoleon ; that, through the blessing of God, it met the thus 
far victorious enemy, and turned the fortunes of the day." From 
a man so modest, and so much opposed to all vain-gloriousness 
and boasting, this statement stands for a great deal. It would 
never have been made had the praise been undeserved. 

The battle, however, was not over. The Federal lines had 
been driven from the Henry house plateau, but their numbers 
rendered them stUl formidable, and prompt steps were taken to 
follow up this important blow. While marshalling his troops 
for a final attack. General Johnston, who had commanded the 
whole field from his headquarters at the Lewis house, received 
intelligence that " a Federal army" had reached Manassas, and 
was then advancing upon his rear. This force was soon ascer- 
tained, however, to be that of General Kirby Smith of the Army 
of the Shenandoah, who had just arrived with 1,700 fresh in- 
fantry. They had come over the Manassas Gap Railroad, and, 
hearing the heavy firing, General Smith had stopped the train 
before it reached the Junction, disembarked the troops, and has- 
tened forward to the battle field. Coming rapidly into position 
near the Chinn house, on the Confederate left, he opened fixe 
with Beckham's battery on the enemy at the moment when they 
were commencing a final attack. Theu* line extended in the 
shape of a crescent from the Carter house, around in rear of 
Dogan's, and across the Warrenton road to Chlnn's house. The 
fields and roads were filled with infantry, and their two brigades 
of cavalry which had not been used. General Smith had 
scarcely formed his line, when the Federal commander, throwing 
forward a cloud of skirmishers, extended his right wing to out- 
flank and envelope the Confederate line. They were met by the 
fresh troops under Smith and Early with great spirit, and this 
unexpected resistance, at a point supposed to be undefended, ob- 
viously disheartened the attacking column. At the same mo- 
ment the whole Southern line advanced to the charge, and the 
combined attack upon the Federal flank and front was decisive. 
The enemy Avas forced over the narrow plateau near Chinn's 



76 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

house, out of the woods on its western slope, across the War- 
renton road, and on toward Sudley and Red House fords. 
Their lines were broken, and the army in full retreat. Soon this 
retreat became a wild and panic-stricken flight. The roads were 
filled with artillery, the horses at full gallop ; men were crushed 
beneath the wheels ; wagons were overturned amid the hurrying 
crowd, and every article which could impede the retreat was 
dropped by the men in their headlong flight. 

The rout was so complete, that Jackson said, in his curt voice, 
as he sat his horse and looked at the retreating army : " Give 
me ten thousand men, and I will be in "Washington to-night I " * 

* The writer has received valuable information in regard to this battle 
from General Stuart, General Hampton, General Pendleton, and others. 
Jackson's report of the operations of his brigade is lost, and the general 
official report is very confused and inaccurate. It is there stated that Jackson 
was repulsed and driven from the plateau at two o'clock. This is unquestion- 
ably an error. He states, in his letter to Colonel Bennett, that he pierced the 
Federal centre and held the ground thus won ; and General Pendleton, who 
was present, writes that in this charge the enemy were " thoroughly broken 
and thrown back, nor did they at all again recover that ridge." General 
Hampton's statement to the writer is distinctly to the same effect. The un- 
reliable character of the general official report was a matter of notoriety in 
the Army of Northern Virginia ; but no intelligent person regarded the emi- 
nent soldier whose name is signed to it as responsible for its inflation of style 
or inaccuracy of statement. 




Portion 

l^IRG I W^ 

Scale 12 StcUuLc Ahios tc 
JJ^ppleton. k CoNewYork 




/ 






cJiCi'v Gap. 




Staunt 



=J 



PART II. 

THE CAMPAIGN OF THE VALLEY. 



CHAPTER I. 



THE AUTUMN OF 1S61. 



The first days succeeding the battle of Manassas were 
passed by the Southern troops in discussing the incidents of 
the engagement. Among other things, they recalled General 
Bee's expression while rallying his broken lines : " There is 
Jackson, standing like a stone wall" ; and the name of " Stone- 
wall-" from that time forward adhered to the Virginian. It has 
now become his designation throughout the world. 

Jackson always insisted, however, that his troops, and not 
himself, were entitled to this name. He was not a little gratified 
at it, and on his death-bed said : " The men who live through 
this war will be proud to say, ' I was one of the Stonewall 
Brigade,' to their children." But the brigade and the army 
insisted as pertinaciously upon applying the term to himself as 
descriptive of his obstinate resolution ; and they succeeded in 
fixing it upon him. He was never generally known as " Thomas 
Jonathan" — his real baptismal name. Bee, when about to sur- 
render his brave soul to his Maker, had baptized him, amid 
blood and fire, as " Stonewall" Jackson. 



78 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

The part taken by his brigade in the battle has been de- 
scribed. They undoubtedly decided the fortunes of the day, by 
first checking the rapid advance of the Federal forces until the 
Confederate line was formed, and then, by piercing their centre, 
separating their wings, and compelling them to fall back from 
their strong position upon the plateau near the Henry house. 
The importance of these services was recognized by the country, 
and Jackson began to be spoken of as a commander of nerve 
and ability. Beyond this, however, his fame did not extend. 
No one seems to have suspected the existence of those great re- 
sources of strategy and daring which lay under the calm exterior 
of the Virginian ; and his celebrity as a soldier was still to be 
won upon more arduous fields. 

For three days Jackson waited impatiently for the order to 
advance upon Washington. We have heard his exclamation on 
the field of battle, that with ten thousand men he could enter the 
Federal capital that night ; and to the future, when all the facts 
shall be published, we must leave the decision of the question 
whether he erred. What seems plain is, that Washington at 
that moment was almost undefended, the Federal army routed, 
and the way open. Jackson thought the movement perfectly 
practicable, and said more than once, with some impatience, " I 
have three days' rations cooked, ready to advance. Why don't 
the order come ! " 

It did not come — for what reason it is difficult at this time to 
understand. The army was not well, but sufiiciently provisioned ; 
the means of transportation were limited, but many wagons were 
not needed ; and General Patterson had not moved from his po- 
sition on the upper Potomac. This was not certainly known, 
however, and the apprehension was felt that a new army would 
await the Confederates at Arlington Heights. The men were 
not then inured to forced marches and fasting, and the idea of 
promptly advancing was abandoned. To the eye of him who 
to-day embraces the whole field, " looking before and after," the 
movement seems to have been practicable ; but the future was 
then hidden, the ground unknown, aud the project of a forward 



THE AUTUMN" OF 1861, 79 

movement was given up. General Johnston collected his army, 
much scattered in the hot conflict, and sending forward advance 
forces to Fairfax Court House and Vienna, went into camp near 
Centreville. 

The intelligence of the victory at Manassas was greeted in 
the South in a manner which seemed disproportioned to its im- 
portance. No bells were rung, or crowds harangued by street 
orators ; and it was difficult to believe, from the demeanor of the 
people, that they realized the good fortune of the Southern arms. 
Such at least was the fact in Virginia, and the explanation may 
probably be discovered in the natural character of the popu- 
lation. The Virginians are not easily elated by good fortune, or 
depressed by bad ; and they exhibited this temper of mind on the 
present occasion. The Congress imitated them. Resolutions 
of thanks to the Southern troops were passed, couched in terms 
of gravity and decorum, and the subject then seemed to be for- 
gotten. The effect of the battle at the North was diiferent. 
Such ardent expectations of a decisive victory over the South 
had been indulged, that the result fell upon the people with the 
startling effect of a thunderbolt. The press teemed with angry 
denunciations of the generals who had thus suffered themselves 
to be defeated ; a policy of extermination against the South was 
hotly advocated ; and the entire body of Northern society 
seemed to be convulsed, as it had never been before, in the 
recollections of the living. 

Prompt steps were taken by the Federal authorities to re- 
trieve the disaster, and every energy was brought into play. 
New levies were made ; a heavy loan negotiated with the banks 
of New York, on terms which indicated no change in the public 
conviction that the South would soon be forced back into the 
Union ; and Lientenant-General Scott, now past seventy, yielded 
the command of the Federal armies to a younger and more act- 
ive officer. General George B. McClellan, the officer in ques- 
tion, will probably rank, in the ultimate judgment of military 
critics, as the ablest Federal commander of the war. This esti- 
mate, which is formed by the present writer after a careful study 



80 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

of his official reports, and a full consideration of all the circum- 
stances under which he acted, AviU only go for what it is worth ; 
but his great abilities as a soldier were unquestioned even by his 
opponents. He was at this time about thirty-five years of age, was 
a graduate of West Point, and had been chiefly known before the 
war as the author of a work upon European tactics, the result 
of a visit as military commissioner to the Crimea. When the 
war broke out he was assigTied to the command of the Federal 
forces in Western Virginia, Avhere he achieved a complete suc- 
cess over the Confederate arms at Rich Mountain and Carrick's 
ford. These affairs had appeared on the Federal bulletins as 
" two victories in one day ; " General McClellan received the 
flattering name of " the Young Napoleon," and his sudden pro- 
motion to the command of all the United States forces indicated 
the high opinion which had been formed of his abilities. Precise 
and military in his bearing when on duty, but at other times easy, 
approachable, and ever ready to smile and utter a kind word, he 
became immediately and greatly popular with the troops. His 
sentiments toward the South were those of a soldier for an open 
and powerful opponent, and he entered upon the duties of his 
great position with a zeal and energy which soon accomplished 
the most important results. Under his directing hand the dis- 
organized Federal army again took shape, reformed its broken 
ranks, and once more presented a determined and dangerous 
front to the South. 

The military operations which took place during the remain- 
der of the year 1861, over the whole field of struggle from Vii'- 
giuia to Missouri, form no part of the present narrative. The 
South had not profited by the result of the battle of Manassas. 
It is doubtful whether that victory did not prove a misfortune to 
the Confederacy. Instead of concentrating all their energies, 
and preparing for a hard and protracted struggle, the Southern 
people seemed to consider the conflict oa er, and the revolution 
victoriously terminated at a blow. The ignis fatuus of Em'opean 
intervention danced before every eye, leading the people of the 
Confederate States still deeper and deeper into the treacherous 



THE AUTUMN OF 1861. 81 

slough : find duriog all this time the North, with greater energy 
and resolution than before, was gathering, by land and by sea, 
an overpowering force for their destruction. Immense iron-clad 
men-of-war ; great armies at every point on the frontier ; enormous 
levies of additional troops, and fresh loans ; a resolute determi- 
nation to crush the South at any cost — ^these were the elements 
which the North now brought, with persistent activity, to the 
further struggle. Active operations followed at nearly every 
point. Armies took the field in Missouri, Kentucky, and Vir- 
ginia ; and extensive expeditions by water were undertaken 
against the fortified places along the Southern coast. In "West- 
ern Virginia an active campaign took place, resulting in the in- 
decisive affairs at Scary Creek, Cross Lanes, Camifax Ferry, 
and Cheat Mountain, where Generals Floyd and Wise carried 
on the contest with varying but unimportant results. The only 
affairs of importance which redeemed the campaign in Virginia, 
after July, from its general aspect of nonsuccess, were the 
actions at Leesburg and Alleghany Mountain, in October and 
December. In the former Colonel Evans met and repulsed with 
heavy slaughter a Federal force which crossed the Potomac at 
Ball's Bluff; and in the latter, Colonel Edward Johnson, with a 
small body of Confederates, sustained the attack of a much larger 
force of Federal troops for about six hours, when they retired 
and left him in possession of the field. 

But these successes did not greatly change the face of affairs, 
and the prospect for the spring looked threatening. Two Fed- 
eral armies were held ready to advance at the opening of fine 
weather — ^that at Washington, under personal command of Gen- 
eral McClellan, and a second opposite Leesburg, under General ■ 
Banks of Massachusetts. In addition to these, considerable 
bodies of Federal troops occupied the counties of Hardy, Hamp- 
shire, and Morgan, on the head-waters of the Potomac, where 
they lived on the country, harassed the inhabitants, and treated 
as public enemies all who refused to subscribe to the Federal 
oath of allegiance. 

To protect this portion of the State, and guard the lower 
6 



S2 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

valley against General Banks, the Confederate Government de- 
termined to send a force to Winchester. This could not be 
wholly drawn from the army at Centi-eville, which faced General 
McClellan, and other sources were looked to. Detached bodies 
from various quarters were ordered to concentrate at "Winches- 
ter, and especially the commands of Generals Loring and Henry 
R. Jackson, who had hitherto operated in Western Virginia. 
The force thus organized was officially styled the " Army of the 
Monongahela," and was placed under the command of General 
Stonewall Jackson, who had been advanced to the rank of 
major-general. 

This gratifying promotion seemed to produce little effect 
upon Jackson, or he was too modest to let his feelings be seen. 
On the night when he received his commission, his friend Col- 
onel Pendleton slept with him, and they talked confidentially for 
hours, but Jackson did not allude to it. It was only on the next 
day, when they rode together to Fairfax Court House, that 
Colonel Pendleton heard of it. Jackson was looking for a 
magistrate to administer the official oath, and was thus led to 
mention his promotion^ 



CHAPTER II. 

Jackson's farewell address to his brigade. 

After the battle of Manassas, Jackson had remained with 
his brigade in the woods near Centreville, only moving once, 
when the Confederate generals advanced to Fairfax Court House, 
and then abruptly retired, w'ith the hope of drawing General 
McClellan from his earthworks at Arlington. He had looked 
in vain for the signal to march upon Washington. Day followed 
day — and then weeks and months went by — the signal did not 
come. His brigade awaited the order to advance with an im- 



Jackson's faeewell address to his beigade. 83 

patience as great as that of their commander, and were restive 
as the bright autumn thus passed on. 

They had began to regard their leader with that admiration 
and affection which subsequently became so ardent. The Army 
of the Potomac was nothing in their eyes without the Army of 
the Shenandoah, the Army of the Shenandoah nothing without 
the " Stonewall" brigade ; and the commander of that brigade 
was, in the opinion of his troops, the first of men — -the " noblest 
Roman of them all." His coolness in action, and the obstinate 
resolution with which he fought, had made him the hero of the 
ardent youths, sensitively impressible to military glory, and 
prone, like the young everywhere, to hero-worship. They were 
charmed with his soldierly qualities ; delighted with his dingy 
gray coat and yellow cap ; and his very eccentricities and oddi- 
ties were new claims upon their liking. They called him " Old 
Jack " and " Stonewall ; " and when troops bestow nicknames 
on a commander, they almost always admire him. They 
laughed when he rode by upon his sorrel, with the rim of his 
cap on his nose and his chin in the air, but the cheer which fol- 
lowed was an evidence of the admiration and affection under the 
laughter. Those who witnessed the meetings between this 
officer and his troops, at that time and afterwards, will recall 
the spectacle of waving hats, and tumult and rejoicing. It was 
in.vain that Jackson endeavored to avoid these ovations, which, 
in spite of his innate modesty, were the most delightful incense 
to the pride of the soldier. In vain did he pluck off his old cap 
— fix his eyes straight before him — and pass at a rapid gallop, 
with his staff strung out behind him, in the effort to keep pace 
with him. The men refused to be thus defeated. The signal was 
given at one end of the brigade that " Old Jack was coming :" 
the men ran to the road, and as he passed at full speed, cheers 
arose and were carried along the line, as though their leader 
was rallying them in the gulf of battle. So unfailing was this 
reception of Jackson by his men, and such an uproar did his 
presence always occasion, that it was compared to the immense 
excitement produced in the regiments and brigades by the ap- 



84 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

pearance of a bare or squirrel, wliich the men invariably ran down 
witb deafening sbouts and cries. When that distant cheering 
was heard, the army would exclaim with good-humored laughter, 
" That's Jackson or a rabbit ! " 

This great popularity of the General will serve to explain 
the depression of his men when they were informed that their 
favorite was about to leave them. The fact seemed incredible. 
That any other general but the ofl&cer in the old gray coat, with 
the old yellow cap, on the old sorrel horse, should lead the 
Sfoneiuall Brigade, appeared an idea too absurd for belief. It 
seemed an outrage on them ; a wanton disregard of their feel 
ings which no public reasons could justify. 

But in spite of this extraordinary excitement in the ranks of 
the brigade, the inexorable order remained unchanged — the sor- 
rowful moment approached when they were to bid farewell to 
their commander. 

The day at last came ; it was the 4tli of October. In a field 
near Centreville all the regiments of the brigade except the 5th 
Virginia, then on picket, were drawn up in close column with 
their officers in front, and Jackson appeared before them as 
though about to give the order for a charge. But now no en- 
thusiasm or cheers aAvaited him. All knew for what purpose he 
came, and the sorrow which filled every heart betrayed itself in 
the deep silence which greeted his approach. Not a sound was 
heard along the line nor hand raised in greeting to indicate that 
the men had recognized their captain. The faces of the troops 
were full of the deepest dejection, and they resembled children 
about to be separated from their father. 

As Jackson reached the centre of the line his stafi" halted, 
and he rode slowly foi'ward until he was within a few paces of 
the men. As his glance met theirs, a slight color tiuged his 
cheek, and his eye flashed. Mastering his emotion with an effort, 
iu the midst of the profound silence, and speaking in the short 
abrupt tones which were so familiar to them, Jackson addressed 
them as follows : 

" I am not here to make a speech, but simply to say farewell. 



JACKSON B FAREWELL ADDRESS TO HIS BRIGADE. 85 

I first met you at Harper's Ferry in the commencement of this 
war, and I cannot take leave of you without giving expression 
to my admiration of your conduct from that day to this — wheth- 
er on the march, in the bivouac, in the tented field, or on the 
bloody plains of Manassas, where you gained the weU-deserved 
reputation of having decided the fate of the battle. Throughout 
the broad extent of country over which you have marched, by 
your respect for the rights and the property of citizens, you have 
shown that you were soldiers — not only to defend, but able and 
willing both to defend and protect. You have already gained a 
brilliant and deservedly high reputation throughout the army of 
the whole Confederacy, and I trust in the future, by your deeds 
on the field, and by the assistance of the same kind Providence 
who has heretofore favored om' cause, you will gain more victo- 
ries, and add additional lustre to the reputation you now enjoy. 
You have already gained a proud position in the future history of 
this ovir Second War for Independence ; I shall look with great 
anxiety to your future movements, and I trust whenever I shall 
hear of the First Brigade on the field of battle, it will be of 
still nobler deeds achieved, and higher reputation won ! " 

As he uttered these words Jackson paused, and his eye 
passed slowly along the line, as though he wished thus to bid 
farewell, individually, to every familiar face. His emotion 
seemed profound — the rush of memories crowding upon him 
more than he could bear. He could not leave them thus, with 
such formal words only ; and the iron lip which had never trem- 
bled in battle was suddenly seen to quiver. Mastered by an 
uncontrollable impulse, the soldier rose in his stirrups, threw the 
reins on the neck of his horse with an electric gesture which sent 
a thrill through every heart, and extending his arm, added in 
tones of the deepest feeling : 

" In the Army of the Shenandoah you were the First Bri- 
gade ! In the Army of the Potomac you were the First Brigade ! 
In the second corps of the army you are the First Brigade 1 
You are the First Brigade in the afi^ections of your General ; and 
I hope, by your future deeds and bearing, you wUl be handed 



86 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSCN. 

dowB to posterity as the First Brigade, in this our Second War 
of Independence. Farewell ! " 

As the last words echoed in the ears of the men, and Jack- 
son turned to leave them, the long pent-up feeling burst forth. 
Tliree prolonged cheers rolled along the line of the brigade, and 
no sooner had they died away than they were renewed and again 
renewed. The calm face of Jackson flushed as he listened to 
that sound, but he did not speak, 

"Waving his hand in token of farewell, he galloped away, and 
the brigade returned slowly and sorrowfully to camp. 



CHAPTER III. 

jackson'splan. 

Before entering upon the narrative of the campaign in the 
valley, it is necessary that we should briefly refer to Jackson's 
views in the fall of 1861. "What a distinguished man conceives 
is often as interesting as what he executes, and certainly serves 
equally to display his character. The plan of operations which 
we are about to notice was never carried out, and many persons 
at that time thought it absurd ; but it was the deliberate result 
of Jackson's reflections, and will at least show his views at that 
time. 

He proposed that the Confederate forces should invade the 
Isorth in two columns, winter at Harrisbm-g, and in the spring 
of 1862 advance dii-ectly upon Philadelphia. The result, he be- 
lieved, would be a treaty of peace, and the establishment of 
fSouthern independence. 

The logic by which he anived at the conclusion that this 
plan must succeed was certainly plausible. The battle of Man- 
assas had paralyzed for the time the military power of the 
North, and every thing in that country was in confusion. Ou 
every side were the evidences of discouragement and dismay ; 



Jackson's plan. S7 

the legislature was the arena of warring factions, the executive 
embarrassed and disheartened, the old army disorganized, the 
new levies undisciplined ; and the whole Northern country, ex- 
hausted by the great effort which had ended so disastrously, lay, 
for the moment, like a mighty hulk which had run on the break- 
ers, and threatened every instant to go to pieces. Cool heads 
saw that this prostration, however, was only temporary ; that 
the immense resources in population and war material at the 
North would soon enable her to recover from the blow she had 
received ; and it was to take advantage of her present weakness 
and avoid the recoil, that Jackson proposed his plan. 

Its details were as follows : While the people and the author- 
ities were thus discouraged, he proposed to advance with the 
Army of the Monongahela, about 10,000 in number, into North- 
western Virginia, where he would reclaim that whole country 
from the Federal sway, and summon the inhabitants of Southern 
sentiment to array themselves under his standard. His infor- 
mation in regard to the feeling in that region — derived from per- 
sonal knowledge and the statements of influential men — was ex- 
tensive and reliable ; and he did not doubt his ability to recruit 
between fifteen and twenty thousand men, which would place at 
his command at least 25,000 troops — enough for his further de- 
signs. These were bold and simple. While the enemy were 
under the impression that his only object was to reclaim and oc- 
cupy Northwestern Virginia, he would rapidly move his whole 
force across the Monongahela, into INIonongalia County, march 
upon Pittsburg, seize that place and destroy the United States 
arsenal there, and then, in conjunction with the army of the 
Potomac, which was to cross at Leesburg and form a junction 
with his own column, advance upon Harrisburg and occupy the 
capital of Pennsylvania. From Harrisburg he proposed that 
the united armies should advance in the spring upon Phila- 
delphia. 

Such was the plan of operations which Jackson believed 
would terminate the war before the summer of 1862. With the 
heart of the North thus pierced by the Southern troops, the 



88 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

Strategic points captured, and "Washington evacuated — the Fed 
eral authorities, he believed, would abandon their opposition to 
secession and agree to an honorable peace. 

It "was proposed to the Confederate authorities at Richmond, 
but was not adopted. Nothing ever came of it, and the South 
entered upon a military policy which contemplated a long de- 
fensive war, in which the Federal Government would find its re- 
sources exhausted, or the patience of the people worn out. 
AVhether this was an altogether prudent course, let the subse- 
quent events of the struggle declare. It never had the approval 
of Jackson. He believed then, and continued to believe, as will 
be seen tliroughout his career, that •' the Scipio Africanus policy 
was the best." Invasion of the North was his possessing 
thought, and became the di'eam of his life. He never ceased to 
think of it, and the great successes at Port Republic, Cold Har- 
bor, and the second Manassas, were chiefly important in his 
eyes from their bearing upon his favorite policy. 

To the question what would have been the result of the 
adoption of this plan in the autumn of 1861, there will probably 
be many answers ; but we pass from what Jackson suggested to 
what he effected. 



CHAPTER IV. 

THE WINTER MARCH TO ROMNE* 

1 

Jackson pi'oceeded to Winchester, and assuming command 
of the valley district, applied himself energetically to the task 
of organizing and di-illing the raw levies from the surrounding 
country. General Loring with his command arrived in Decem- 
ber ; and Jackson had succeeded, to his great joy, in regaining 
his old brigade, which returned to him and went into camp near 
the afterwards famous locality of Kcrnstown, in the latter days 
of November. 

The troops thus placed at his disposal were about 10,000 in 



THE WIN'TER SIAUCH TO EOMNEY. 89 

number. With this force he hoped to afford complete protection 
to the country, and he applied himself with great activity to the 
work of putting the troops in proper order for the spring cam- 
paign. They did not remain, in the meanwhile, entirely idle. 
On the 17th of December a portion of the Stonewall Brigade 
proceeded to the Potomac, and driving away a body of Federal 
troops posted there, destroyed dam No. 5 on the Chesapeake and 
Ohio Canal. Washington and Alexandria were largely supplied 
with coal and other heavy produce from the interior by means 
of this canal, and the inconvenience thus occasioned was proba- 
bly considerable. Soon afterwards preparations were made for 
a vigorous movement against the Federal forces at Romney, 
Bath, and other points, which it was desirable to drive beyond 
the Potomac. 

Jackson at this time expressed succinctly and forcibly to one 
of his officers, his opinion in reference to the fire delivered by 
troops. The conversation had turned upon the relative advan- 
tage of filing by file, and by company or battalion, and Jackson 
said : " I rather think the fire by file is best on the whole, for it 
gives the enemy an idea that the fire is heavier than if it was 
by company or battalion. Sometimes, however, one may be 
best — sometimes the other — according to circumstances. But 
my opinion is that there ought not to be much firing at all. My 
idea is that the best mode of fighting is to reserve your fire till 
the enemy get — or you get them — to close quarters. Then de- 
liver one deadly,^deliberate fire — and charge ! " 

His preparations were not complete until the last days of 
December. All was ready at last, however, and on the first 
day of January, 1862, he set out on the road to Romney, with 
about 9,000 men, in the midst of many speculations as to his 
intentions. " Conjecture was rife as to our destination," says 
an officer, " but Jackson kept his own secrets so well as to de- 
ceive both the enemy and ourselves." In spite of the winter 
season the day was exceedingly bright and beautiful ; the air 
soft and balmy ; and Jackson afterwards said to a gentleman 
from Jefferson, " Sir, the dust was flying in the roads !" So 



90 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSOX. 

mild was the temperature that the men left behind them their 
overcoats and blankets, to be brought on in the wagons. A 
short distance from Winchester Jackson Avhcclcd to the right, 
and now marched in the direction of Bath. On the next day 
the weather changed and gi'cw intensely cold. The men marched 
all day, and at night the wagons Avhich had been unable to keep 
up with the troops, had not arrived. The army in consequence 
was compelled to go into bivouac without rations or covering of 
any description — depending upon camp fires for protection against 
the cold. On the third day Jackson continued to press forward, 
in spite of the sufierings of the troops, who, taken from com- 
fortable winter quarters, and unaccustomed to hunger, cold, and 
fatigue, found it almost impossible to proceed. Jackson became 
restive. Riding along the column, he found his old brigade 
halted on the side of the road, and asked General Garnett, who 
had succeeded him in the command, the reason for this delay. 

" I have halted to let the men cook rations, General," was 
the reply of Garnett. 

" There is no time for that," responded Jackson briefly. 

" But it is impossible for the men to march further without 
them." 

" I never found any thing impossible with that brigade ! " 
returned Jackson in his curtest tones, and he rode on. His 
plans did not admit of delay. He intended to surprise and 
drive the enemy before him ; and in comparison with the success 
of the campaign, which depended upon the celerity of his march, 
he rightly estimated the sufferings of the men as a secondary 
matter. Such is the fatal logic of war — the necessity of mili- 
tary affairs. 

Jackson now drew near Bath, and suddenly found his ad- 
vance guard attacked. The Federal forces were posted behind 
fences and other cover, and poured a sudden fire into the van- 
guard, consisting of a portion of the 48th Virginia, Colonel 
Campbell. Two companies of the 21st Virginia, under Colonel 
Patton, were thrown forward to their support, and an animated 
skirmish ensued. The enemy held their ground for about half 



THE WINTER MAECH TO KOMNEY. 91 

an bour, when reenforcements coming to the relief of the ad- 
vance guard, the Federal forces were driven off with the loss of 
about twenty prisoners. This engagement took place within a 
few miles of Bath, and to that place the enemy retired on their 
main body. The Southern troops encamped just outside of the 
town, and as night descended a freezing snow-storm, accompa- 
nied with hail, swept down from the mountains, and beat directly 
in their faces. The wagons had again failed to arrive — the men 
were without any thing to eat, or blankets to cover them, and 
their situation was distressing. They were even without axes, 
and the officers were compelled to overlook the destruction of 
the fences for firewood, " Strike for the rails, boys," was the 
order of an officer of the advance guard, and around the cheer- 
ful blaze the men sank down in the snow which continued to fall, 
and worn out with fatigue slept profoundly. 

" I buUt a fire," says a young soldier whose notes of the 
march are before us, " and went to sleep by it, but waked up 
about twelve o'clock at night and found the fire out, and about 
three inches of snow over me." He like the rest had left his 
blankets in the wagons, and this snowy winding sheet covered, 
that night, the whole slumbering army. 

On the next morning the mountains and valleys were cov- 
ered with snow, which stUl continued to fall without cessation. 
Jackson did not modify his plans, however, in consequence of 
this unexpected and most unfortunate change in the weather — so 
bright and beautiful when he left Winchester. Bath was in 
front of him, stUl occupied by the enemy ; and as soon as the 
troops had snatched a hasty meal, the order was given for an 
advance upon the town. The Federal forces made but a brief 
resistance. The Southern artillery was placed in position and 
opened fire, when the infantry charged the enemy's breastworks, 
and they fell back hastily in the direction of the Potomac. Jack- 
son had sent a force round in rear of the town to cut off their 
retreat, but their movements were too rapid. Before the troops 
could reach the point designated, the Federal forces had passed 
it and effected their retreat. They were pursued by Ashby'a 



92 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

cavalry, which came upou a coasiderable force of infantry in 
ambush, and the cavalry having fallen back, the Confederate 
artillery was brought forward and fire opened. At nightfall the 
enemy fell back from their position and retreated across the Po- 
tomac, wading the freezing stream in one of the coldest nights 
that had ever been known in that region. The Federal quar- 
ters in the town of Bath fell into the hands of the troops, and a 
number of stores were captured. In their abrupt retreat the 
Federal ofKcers had left behind them rich uniforms, fine services 
of china, and all the luxurious appendages of winter quarters. 
These were taken possession of by the troops, who devoured 
with humorous satisfaction the excellent dinners of some Fed- 
eral ofiicers, which were found smoking on the board. 

At nightfall the artillery fire ceased and the troops fell back, 
two regiments, however, remaining on picket. As these were 
forbidden to make fires, the bitter cold of the January night 
caused them intense sufiering. The soles of the men's shoes, in 
many instances, froze tightly to the ground, and the sufferings 
of aU were indescribable. On the morning of the 5th of Jan- 
uary Jackson formed line of battle opposite Hancock, which 
was held by a Federal force under General Lander ; and bring- 
ing up 'lis batteries, placed them in position to open fire. He 
then sent Ashby with a flag of truce to demand the surrender 
of the place. This was refused by General Lander, when Jack- 
son sent back word that he was about to shell the place — giving 
the authorities of the town two hours to remove the women and 
children. At the expiration of that time he opened with his 
batteries on the town, and the Federal batteries returned the 
fire. The cannonade continued rapidly for about an hour with- 
out result — Jackson directing his fire only at that portion of the 
town which w^as occupied by the troops — and then it ceased on 
both sides for the day. 

On the next day the cannonade was resumed, and getting 
our range, the Federal batteries poured a heavy fire upon the 
troops, with little injury, however. They bad been reenforced 
during the night, and Jackson saw that the place could not be 



THE WINTEE MAECH TO EOMNEr. 93 

taken withovit very severe loss in charging across the river. 
This fact, and the additional consideration that he had accom- 
pKshed the object of his march in that direction, by driving the 
Federal forces from the soil of Virginia, induced him to aban- 
don the design — if he had entertained it — of following the enemy 
into their own country, and give up the plan of taking the 
town. His attention was now turned toward Eomney, where a 
Federal force, variously estimated at from six to twelve thou- 
sand, still remained ; and having removed the stores abandoned 
opposite Hancock, he prepared to advance on the former place. 

"Wlaile these events were taking place near the town of Han- 
cock, Colonel Rust had been ordered to proceed with two regi- 
ments and a battery up the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, which 
here runs along the Potomac, and destroy the raiboad bridge 
over Capon River. On the way to that point he fell into an 
ambuscade, but succeeded in driving the enemy from their posi- 
tion ; after which he pushed on, burned the bridge, and destroyed 
a considerable portion of the road. He then rejoined the main 
body, and Jackson set out for Romney. 

The weather had now become terrible, and the difficulties in 
tlie way of military movements almost insuperable. It has been 
truthfully said, that Napoleon's passage of the Alps scarcely sur- 
passed this march. Rain, snow, hail, and sleet beat upon the 
troops, who were without tents, overcoats, or blankets ; and had 
it not been for the bivouac fires, many of the soldiers must have 
perished. 

The difficulties of the march were fourfold for the trains and 
artillery. The roads were covered with ice two inches thick, 
and so thoroughly glazed by the sleet that horses and men kept 
their feet only by the greatest exertion. Men were slipping, and 
their guns going ofi" all along the line. " Thousands fell flat every 
day," says an eye-witness — and both men and animals were often 
seriously hurt. The knees and muzzles of the horses were terri- 
bly injured ; and they were seen limping along, crippled and 
streaming with blood ; but stiU Jackson continued his march. 
Wagon after wagon slid off the steep and slippery roads, and 



94 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

turned bottom upward, despite every attempt made to steady 
them. One train of wagons and ai-tillery took from daylight 
until three p. m. to pass a hilly point ; heavy details of men 
roughening the frozen roads with pickaxes, steadying the animals, 
and almost lifting the vehicles along. Jackson was present 
everywhere, encouraging the troops and seeing that no unneces- 
sary delay was permitted by their officers. His presence in 
fused life into the laggards, and silenced the malcontents. Pass- 
ing a point of the road where a piece of artillery had stalled, 
while a crowd of men were looking idle on, he stopped, dis- 
mounted, without uttering a word, and put his own shoulder to 
the wheel. The men were shamed by the rebuke, and hastened 
to take their places ; the horses were whipped up, and the piece 
moved on. 

In spite of the extraordinary difficulties which this terrible 
condition of the roads threw in the way of further operations in 
that mountainous region, Jackson did not swerve from his fixed 
purpose to clear the whole country of the enemy. He hoped to 
surprise the Federal garrison at Romney, but intelligence of his 
advance preceded him. General Kelly, who commanded the 
Federal forces there, prepared to defend the town, and issued 
orders to the troops to be ready. But these orders proved, it is 
said, of no avail. A panic had seized upon the troops, and at 
Jackson's approach General Kelly hastily evacuated the place, 
leaving behind liim his official papers, and public property to the 
value of about half a million dollars, which fell into the hands of 
the Confederates. 

The objects of the expedition had thus been accomplished. 
Two large counties had been cleared of the Federal troops which 
had so long harassed them ; the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, 
the great military artery between the East and the West, had been 
seriously damaged, and the bridge over Capon River destroyed ; 
large amounts of stores had been captured ; and the country 
eflectually reconquered from the enemy. These results had been 
achieved by the persevering resolution of Jackson, and the en- 
durance of the troops who had suffered severely from the bitter 



THE WINTER MAKCH TO KOMNEY. 95 

cold. But the result of their hardships repaid them. The in- 
habitants of the region could now sleep in peace. When Jackson 
entered Romney no Federal force was left in the entire country. 

It was necessary, however, to promptly guard against an 
advance of the enemy on his rear, from Williamsport or Har- 
per's Ferry. Jackson accordingly left General Loring with a 
portion of the army at Romney, and returned with the remainder 
to Winchester. Here he wrote to a friend in Richmond, on 
January 29th, " Please procure me thirty-five miles of telegraph 
wire from this point to Romney " — his intention being to con- 
nect the two places by a line of telegraph, so that General Lor- 
ing might communicate with him at a moment's notice, and 
announce any movement of the Federal forces. Posted at Win- 
chester meanwhile, with the main body of the army, he would 
be able to guard the approaches both to that point and to Gen- 
eral Loring's rear, and move either force as the operations of the 
enemy dictated. He would thus be able to hold both the valley 
of the Shenandoah, the valley of the South Branch of the Poto- 
mac, and the Mountains of Morgan. Not only Jefferson, Fred- 
erick, and Clarke, but Berkeley, Morgan, Hardy, and Hampshire 
would be completely protected. 

Such was the design of Jackson ; but for reasons now gener- 
ally known, it was not carried out. From their first arrival at 
Winchester, General Loring, and a great number of his officers 
and men, had made no concealment of their lack of confidence in 
Jackson as a soldier. Truth demands the statement, that on 
many occasions this want of respect was displayed in a manner 
highly derogatory to military discipline, and that deference which 
is due to a military superior. Jackson was regarded as a man 
of weak judgment and deficient intellect, who had accidentally 
attained his position ; and the report was industriously circulated 
that he cared nothing for the men of General Loring's command. 
With this the camps had buzzed at Winchester ; and the hard- 
ships of the winter expedition had added virulence to the senti 
ment. When General Loring was directed to remain at Romney, 
the dissatisfaction of that commander, and many of his officers 



98 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

aud men, was excessive. As the Stonewall Brigade marched 
back, General Loring's troops saluted it with jeers, and cries of, 
" There goes the INIud Fence Brigade ! There go Jackson's 
Pet Lambs ! " — and this was succeeded by more serious evidences 
of dissatisfaction. A paper was drawn up and signed by Gen- 
eral Loring and many of his officers, reflecting in disparaging 
terms upon Jackson's dispositions at Romney : representing that 
the losses of the expedition had been enormous ; that the region 
was untenable ; Romney assailable by no less than twenty-three 
roads, and forage and subsistence inaccessible. So strong Avere 
the representations of this memorial, which was forwarded di- 
rectly to Richmond, that an order was sent directly to General 
Loring, for the withdrawal of his force from Romney to "Win- 
chester. In consequence of this order, which he regarded as a 
personal discoiirtesy, and construed into an evidence of a want 
of confidence in his capacity, Jackson resigned his commission 
in the army. 

This unlocked for result of the action of the War Department 
created much discussion and feeling in Richmond, and wherever 
it was known. Governor Letcher, without Jackson's authority, 
withdrew his resignation, but to this he would not consent. In 
vain did one of his most confidential friends urge upon him the 
propriety of reconsidering his determination. Walking up and 
down his headquarters, in great wrath, Jackson said, in his 
curtest tones, that he would not submit to such treatment. For 
himself, he said, he did not care. If he knew his own heart, he 
had been actuated by no sentiment but love of country in em- 
barking in the war, and the War Department could not prevent 
him from serving in the ranks, as he intended to do. He was 
nobody, but the authorities at Richmond must be taught a lesson, 
or the next victims of their meddling Avould be Johnston and 
Lee. He would not put up Avith a proceeding unmilitary and 
discourteous throughout, and would not hold his commission.* 

In this resolution he for some time remained obstinately fixed, 

* We are indebted to Colonel A. R. Botclcr for these details. Jackson's 
ftngry protest was addressed to that officer. 



THE WINTEE MARCH TO KOMNET. 97 

but the representation of friends gi-adually had their effect. His 
convictions of a supposed hostility to him at Richmond, and 
absence of confidence in his capacity, were changed ; and with- 
drawing his resignation, he retained the command. Returning 
to his duties, he wrote : " Though the troops under my com- 
mand are inadequate to the defence of this district, yet we must 
look on the bright side, trusting that a kind Providence will con- 
tinue to give its protection to this fair portion of our valley. I 

regret that should not regard the success of the 

recent expedition as far outweighing the losses sustained." 

We have summed up briefly the successes — the losses were 
considerable. A large number of men were laid up in the hos- 
pitals, and the army seriously crippled. It is true that the great 
majority only suffered from colds and slight ailments, but they 
were lost to the army for the time. The reader will, however, 
decide for himself whether the expedition was or was not worth 
what it cost. The unfortunate results which followed the with- 
drawal of General Loring are certain. We soon afterwards 
find Jackson, ordinarily so mild and patient, announcing to a 
friend in terms of great bitterness, that the enemy were in pos- 
session of Moorefield ; " General Loring," he yrrote " ought to 
be cashiered." The restilts of the expedition were thus nega- 
tived at one blow, and all the sufferings of the troops had been 
for notliiug. Moorefield, Romney, and Bath were again de- 
fenceless, and the counties of Hardy, Hampshire, and Morgan 
once more at the mercy of the enemy. 

In the space of thirty days a principality had been won and 
lost ajjain. 



98 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

CHAPTER V. 

JACKSON FALLS BACK FROM WINCHESTER. 

The spring campaign of 1862, in Virginia, was looked for- 
ward to by the Federal authorities as the decisive movement of 
the war — the hinge upon which the whole would turn. 

Their plans were not destitute of ingenuity, and promised to 
be crowned with success. Several schemes were in turn re- 
solved on and abandoned. General McClellan, we believe, was 
in favor of advancing up the Rappahannock, and thence march- 
ing across to York River, within about thirty miles of Richmond. 
President Lincoln, however, preferred the line of Manassas, and 
on tlie last day of January he issued the following special order : 

Executive Mansion, Washington, January 31, 1862. 
Ordered^ That all the disposable forces of the Army of the Potomac, after 
providiiig safely for the defence of Washington, be formed into an expedition 
lor the immediate object of seizing and occupying a point upon the railroad 
southwestward of what is known as Manassas Junction ; all details to be in 
the du^cretion" of the General-in-Chief, and the expedition to move before or 
on the 22d dav of February next. 

ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 

This plan not meeting the ready concurrence of General 
McClciUan, the Federal President wrote him the following note 
three days afterwards : 

Executive Mansion, Washington, February 3, 1862. 
Major- General McClellan : 

My dear Sir, — You and I have distinct and different plans for a move- 
ment of the Army of the Potomac : yours to be down the Ch'^sapcake, up the 
Rappahannock to Urbana, and across land to the terminus ot the railroad on 
York River — mine, to move directly to a point on the railroad southwest of 
Manassas. If you will give me satisfactory answers to the following questions 
I shall gladly yield my plan to yours : 

1. Does not your plan involve a greatly larger expenditure of time and 
monev than mine ? 



JACKSON FALLS BACK FKOM WINCHESTER. 99 

2. Wherein is a victory more certain by your plan than mine ? 

3. Wherein is a victory more valuable by your plan than mine ? 

4. In fact, would it not be less valuable in this, that it would break no 
great Une of the enemy's communication, while mine would ? 

5. In case of disaster would not a safe retreat be more difficult by your 
plan than by mine ? Yours truly, 

A. LINCOLN. 

The reply of General McClellan to this note is not given, but 
his programme of operations, with some modifications, was sub- 
sequently adopted, and the plan of the entire campaign deter- 
mined on. 

Upon the Confederate capital four armies were to converge ; 
that of Fremont from the northwest, that of Banks from the 
valley, that of McDowell from Fredericksburg, and that of Mc- 
Clellan from the peninsula, between the James and York. Fre- 
mont and Banks, having united their forces, were to drive Jack- 
son before them, ascend the valley, cut the Confederate commu- 
nications, and sweep down upon the capital from the mountains. 
McClellan was to march up the peninsula to the Chickahominy, 
and extend his right wing far up that stream ; and at the same 
time McDowell was to advance from Fredericksburg and ex- 
tend his left wing until it formed a junction with McCleUan's 
right. By this time Jackson, it was supposed, would be defeated 
and swept away, and Fremont and Banks would unite with the 
right wing of McDowell. The line would thus form an im- 
mense semicircle, from the shores of the James to the base of 
the Blue Ridge, and Richmond would be enveloped on the east 
and the north with a cordon of fire. Before the column ascend- 
ing the peninsula, 150,000 — the column advancing from Fred- 
ericksburg, 40,000 — and the army descending from the moun- 
tains, 50,000 — in aU 240,000 men, the capital of the Southern 
Confederacy must be evacuated, and Virginia come under the 
sway of the Federal authorities. 

Such was the Federal programme for the spring of 1862. 
Toward the end of February it was obvious to General John 
ston that General McClellan designed an attack on his position 



100 LITE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

at Centreville, as soon as the roads were firm, and the weather 
admitted of an advance. To disappoint this movement and con- 
centrate the Army of the Potomac with that under General Ma- 
grudcr on the peninsula, for the defence of Richmond, Johnston 
now removed or destroyed his stores and baggage at Manassas, 
and early in March fell back toward the Eappahannock. Mc- 
Clollan pursued him as far as Manassas, but speedily withdrew 
his forces to "Washington ; and at this point in the coming con- 
test we rejoin General Jackson at "Winchester. 

"We now approach the " campaign of the vaUey." By his 
operations on this gi'cat theatre, in the spring of 1862, Jackson 
will be mainly estimated in that aftertime which sums up and 
passes judgment on all human events without fear, favor, or the 
prejudices of the contemporary. In the great career extending 
over barely two years of struggle, but so crowded with memor- 
able scenes, the names of Kernstown and McDowell, "Winchester 
and Port Republic, will outshine Cold Harbor, Manassas, 
Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, and even Chancellorsville. In 
these latter battles Jackson was one of General Lee's lieutenants, 
carrying out the orders of a commander-in-chief under the eye 
and direction of that commander. In the valley he was com- 
manding in the field, with general orders only to control him. 
After the first blows struck at the enemy, it was plain that full 
confidence could be placed in Jackson, and what he thenceforth 
accomplished was due to his own brain and nerve. The result 
was the greatest of his campaigns ; and the military student 
will delight to dwell upon tlic toiling, marching, thinking, and 
fighting of those three mouths in the valley. Tradition will 
cluster around the least detail, the soldier will be inseparably 
connected with the beautiful region which he loved so well, and 
old men will tell their grandchildren with pride that they 
" fought under Jackson in tlie valley." 

His scheme of invading the North had been long since aban- 
doned, and he now bent all his energies to the hard task of liokl- 
ing the valley against the heavy forces of the enemy about to 
advance upon him. He could expect no reenforcements from 



JACKSON FALLS BACK FROM WINCHESTER. 101 

General Johnston's army, wliich, reduced in numbers and em- 
barrassed like his own by the process of reorganization, was 
barely strong enough to present a bold front to the large force 
under McClellan ; and so deeply did the people at large sympa- 
thize with the exposed situation of the little army, that it was 
earnestly hoped and confidently expected, that the government 
would order Jackson to fall back, and give up the idea of hold- 
ing his advanced position. Such was by no means the desire 
of Jackson ; and he had resolved that nothing but the direct as- 
sault of an irresistible force should drive him from the soil he 
had undertaken to protect. 

The days hurried on, the snows of January were succeeded 
by the cold rains of February ; and as March approached the 
brisk winds began to dry the roads. On the 26th of February 
the Federal forces began to move. On that day, Major-General 
Banks crossed the Potomac at Harper's Ferry with a force 
said to number 20,000 men, afterwards swollen by reenforce- 
raents to 35,000 ; and on the same evening the Federal cavalry, 
before which Col. Ashby with his small force was compelled to 
retire, occupied Charlestown. General Lander was moving 
from above with about 11,000 troops, and these two columns, 
numbering in all about 46,000 men, were now posted in Jack- 
son's front. It is doubtful if he had at disposal to meet them as 
many as 4,000 men ; but these were excellent troops, and, to use 
his own words, he " did not feel discouraged." Reenforcements 
were expected from the upper valley, and, until these arrived, he 
determined to take no step backward, unless compelled to do so 
by numbers which he could not resist. He had realized the 
long train of "woes unnumbered" which would attend the 
occupation of the valley by the Federal forces. It gave them 
a foothold which not only exposed the whole country north of 
the Rapidan, but directly threatened the communications of 
Richmond. All his energies were accordingly bent to the 
abuost hopeless task of repulsing them, and retaining possession 
of the country. " If this valley is lost, Virginia is lost" he wrote 
to a friend on the 3d of March, and this extreme statement 



102 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

will serve to show his feeling. Indeed, the affection which 
Jackson, never an imaginative or fanciful person, had for the 
Valley of Virginia, was almost romantic. He always spoke of 
it as " our valley " to his soldiers ; and his blows were never so 
sudden' and dangerous as when he Avas compelled to leave "Win- 
chester and retreat. Even the Federal troops discovered this 
love of Jackson for the region, and are said to have regarded it 
as " his property," which he would surely come back and wrest 
from them. Thus the feelings of the individual came to add 
vigor, if it had been needed, to the resolution of the soldier ; 
and Jackson prepared to defend every foot of the country. " It 
is but natural,"' he wrote afterwards, " that I should feel a deep 
and abiding interest in the people of the valley, where are the 
homes of so many of my brave soldiers, who have been with 
me so long, and whose self-sacrificing patriotism has been so 
thoroughly tested." This affection was more than returned by 
the inhabitants. They speak now of Jackson as of one who 
belongs entirely to themselves ; and one of the young ladies of 
tlie region wrote the other day, " He is such an idol with me, 
that I devour every line about him." He did much to conciliate 
this admiration and affection. His whole heart seemed to be 
set on defending to the bitter end the whole extent of the • 
valley, and some of the hardest fighting of the war took place 
in the rough struggle for its possession. 

Of Jackson's situation at the time vrhich we have now 
reached — the first days of March, 1862 — the following extract 
from a letter written by him to a friend on the third will convey 
an accurate idea : 

" My plan," he writes, " is to put on as bold a front as possi- 
ble, and to use every means in my power to prevent his advance 
whilst our reorganization is going on. What I desire is to hold 
the country, as far as practicable, until we are in a condition tc 
advance ; and then with God's blessing let us make thorough 
work of it. . . Banks, who commands about 35,000 men, 
has his headquarters at Charlestown ; Kelly, who has succeeded 
Lander, has probably 11,000, with his headquarters at Paw Paw, 



JACKSON FALLS BACK FROM WINCHESTER. 103 

Thus you see two generals, wTiose united force is near 46,000 
troops already organized for three years or the war, opposed to 
our little force here. But I do not feel discouraged. Let me 
have what force you can. . . I am delighted to hear you say 
that Virginia is resolved to concentrate all her resources, if 
necessary, to the defence of herself. Now we may look for war 
in earnest. . . I have only to say this — that if this valley is 
lost Virginia is lost." 

His design, it will be seen, was to check the Federal advance 
whilst his " reorganization was going on." Those brief words 
touched on a dangerous and difficult subject. A large portion of 
the Confederate forces had volunteered for twelve mouths only, 
with the expectation that the war would terminate before the 
expiration of that period. This hope was disappointed, a year 
had passed away and hostilities were about to recommence with 
new vigor. The Confederacy was threatened with an attack 
still more dangerous, at the momemt when her soldiers claimed 
the letter of the contract — the right to disband — ^leaving the 
country defenceless. To prevent this disastrous result, Congress 
retained the troops in the field, passing several acts, however, 
permitting the men to change their arm of the service, to elect 
new officers, and reorganize throughout the army. It was this 
" reorganization " in the face of the enemy — throwing all into 
confusion and rendering the camps so many scenes of election- 
eering for commissions — that Jackson was fearful of at the be- 
ginning of March. While the " Carnival of Misrule " was 
reigning throughout his army, and every cabin of logs and mud 
in the winter quarters around Winchester, was the scene of 
merrymaking over sly canteens of whiskey, smuggled in by the 
candidate who was anxious to serve his country with braid on 
his sleeves, while the men felt their power to dethrone their 
present officers, and those officers unconsciously relaxed in dis- 
cipline on that account — in the midst of all this confusion the 
enemy might at any moment advance. To prevent this advance 
by assuming a bold front, and waiting patiently for the reorgani- 
zation to be completed, was the object of Jackson in the first 
^ays of March. 



104 LIFE or STONEWALL JACKSON. 

The roads rapidly dried, and were now firm to tlie tread, 
and hard enough to bear the heaviest artillery ; but the reijn- 
forcements expected by Jackson did not arrive. With his army, 
reduced by sickness, and leaves of absence — and before the new 
organization was accomplished — ^he M-^as called upon to meet 
the enemy. They numbered, according to Jackson's estimate, 
about 4G,000, while his own force was in all about 4,000 ; but 
among these were the men of the Stonewall Brigade, and many 
gallant regiments formerly commanded by General Loring. 
With this little force he determined to make as obstinate a re- 
sistance as possible. 

The collision soon came. On the day that the above letter 
was written by Jackson^ the 3d of March, General Banks left 
a portion of his army at Charlestown, and marched with his 
main body to Martinsburg, from which an excellent turnpike 
road led to Winchester. 

Colonel Ashby, whose cavalry remained in front T^'atching 
the enemy, reported these movements to General Jackson, and 
preparations were made to receive their attack. The Confeder- 
ate commander had no thought of retiring without a fight, and 
his small force was soon ready to meet the Federal attack, which 
speedily followed. On the 10th of March General Banks 
moved toward his adversary, and on the 11th the columns from 
Martinsburg and Charlestown were united at a point about six 
miles from Winchester. About two o'clock in the afternoon, 
Ashby's cavalry picket, about four miles from the to^vn, was 
attacked in force and the cavalry compelled to fall back. Keen- 
forcements Avere speedily despatched to the scene of action, but 
these were also obliged to retire ; and Jackson promptly threw 
forward his whole force and oflfei-ed battle. 

This determined front, as afterwards at Kemstown, must 
have persuaded the Federal general that his adversary's force 
was larger than it had been represented. He did not accept 
the proffered battle, and made no further advance at the time, 
waiting for his main body to arrive. 

Jackson still occupied his position in advance of the town 



JACKSON FALLS BACK FEOM WINCHESTEE. 105 

with the determination not to retire before the enemy without 
engaging them, when late in the afternoon he received an order 
from Richmond directing him to evacuate Winchester, and fall 
back up the valley. This was a bitter disappointment to him. 
All his dreams of defending Winchester were at once dispelled ; 
and with a heavy heart he prepared to obey. There was nothing 
in his orders, however, which forbade him to fight as he fell 
back, and he resolved that before retiring he would attack his 
adversary. An incident related of him on this occasion conveys 
an accurate idea of his feelings and intentions. 

On the night of the 11th of March he visited the famUy of 
the Rev. Mr. Graham, a Presbyterian clergyman of the town, 
with whom he was intimate, and the whole family were struck 
with the unusual buoyancy of his bearing. His manner was 
animated ; his countenance smiling, almost gay ; and he came 
in with a rapid and elastic tread which indicated high spirits. 
As the hour for evening prayers had arrived, he asked permis- 
sion to read a chapter in the Bible and offer a prayer, as he fre- 
quently did ; and every one took notice of the eloquence and 
feeling in his voice. When the family rose from their knees, 
Jackson remained for a moment silent, and then said : " My 
good friends, I can tell you what I am going to do to-night. I 
shall attack the enemy, and defeat him." 

After a few more words he left the house, but, to their great 
surprise, returned toward midnight, looking haggard and dis- 
pirited. He came in slowly, almost dragging himself along, 
and said, in accents of the greatest depression : " I have come 
to tell you that I must leave you, and to say farewell." His 
head sank as he spoke, and he seemed to fall into a gloomy 
reverie. From this he suddenly roused himself, and starting to 
his feet with flushed cheeks and flashing eyes, he half drew his 
sword from the scabbard and exclaimed : 

" I will never leave Winchester without a fight ! — never, 
never ! " 

He stood looking at the astonished auditors for some mo- 
ments without uttering another word, and then his excitement dis- 



106 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

appeared. His sword was driven back with a ringing clash into 
the scabhard, and in tones of profound discouragement he said : 

" No ! I cannot sacrifice my men. I intended to attack the 
enemy on the Martinsbiu-g road, but they are approaching on 
the flanks too, and would surround me. I cannot sacrifice my 
men ; I must fall back." 

He then bade his friends farewell, and left the house.* On 
the same night he recalled his troops from their position in front 
of the enemy, left the cavalry to guard his rear, and silently 
evacuated Winchester. 

He had remained in person until the last moment, to sec that 
no stores of any description were left. Even the useless tele- 
graph wire was dii*ected to be brought off, and he entrusted this 
duty to Major Harman, the chief quartermaster, with the state- 
ment that he Avas " in no hurry to leave Winchester." Every 
thing in the shape of public stores had been already removed. 
The cars and engines from the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad 
had all been sent to the rear, and the men had been greeted with 
the unique spectacle of one huge railroad engine rolling along 
the valley turnpike, drawn by forty-two horses. Nothing was 
thus left, and Jackson doggedly retii'ed. 

On the next morning a column of eight thousand Federal 
troops entered the town and took possession. Colonel Ashby, 
commanding the cavalry, which composed the rear-guard of the 
army, remained behind his men, alone, in Winchester, until the 
enemy had swarmed into the ancient town, and were within two 
hundred yards of his position. 

An incident very characteristic of Ashby followed. The 
enemy had observed the daring cavalier, who thus persistently 
sat his horse, Avatching their entrance, and two men were sent 
to make a circuit, and by striking the valley turnpike in his rear, 
intercept him and cut off his retreat. If Ashby saw this he did 
not pay any attention to the circumstance. He waited until the 

* The scene here related is given on the authority of a highly respectable 
gentleman of Winchester, who received the incident from the family of the 
Rev. Mr. Graham, who witnessed it, and bear testimony to its truth. 



KEKNSTOWN. 107 

Federal column was nearly upon him, and then wa\'ing his 
sword around his head, uttered a cheer and galloped off. At 
the edge of the town he found himself confronted by the men 
sent to intercept him ; and those acquainted with the daring 
character of Ashby wUl easily believe that this opportunity of 
venting his spleen at being compelled to retreat was not unac- 
ceptable. Without attending to the loud " halt ! " he levelled 
his pistol as he came on, and fired at one of the cavalry men, 
who fell. Ashby then caught the other by the throat, dragged 
him from the saddle, and carried him off at full gallop. This 
incident took place exactly as here narrated. It can only be 
explained by the statement that Ashby was the best rider in the 
Southern army. 

Jackson continued to fall back, and Ashby's cavalry, sup- 
ported by Chew's battery of horse artillery, held the rear, dis- 
puting every inch of ground with the enemy, who pursued 
closely. The crack of the cavalry carbines is described as 
having been incessant, and the roar of the artillery was " the 
lullaby and reveille " of the little army. 



CHAPTER VI. 

KERKSTOWN. 



Jackson's retreat on this occasion was sullen and deliberate, 
and the forces assaiUng his rear gained no advantage over Col- 
onel Ashby, who confronted them with his cavalry everywhere, 
and obstinately sustained their attack. At Newtown he met 
and repulsed a column under General Shields which made a 
furious assault upon the Confederate rear-guard, and the army 
continued its march. Reaching Cedar Creek, near Strasburg, on 
the evening of the first day, Jackson continued to retreat until 
he arrived at the little town of Mount Jackson, nearly opposite 
Luray, and about forty-five miles from Winchester. Here his 
weary troops went into camp, the enemy having ceased the pursuit. 



108 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

The Federal forces were now in possession of the entire 
region around Winchester, and sound policy would have seemed 
to suggest a system of conciliation toward the inhabitants, with 
a view to clianging their seatiments of hostility, and reconciling 
them to the Federal Government. This would have been diffi- 
cult, perhaps, but not impossible ; for in large portions of Fred- 
erick and Jefferson Counties, the opposition to secession had 
been violent and determined — the attachment to the Union greal . 
A policy of kindness and conciliation towai'd the inhabitants 
would have increased this feeling ; and a majority of the people 
might have been won to neutrality at least. General Banks 
seems not to have understood the character of the people, and 
his hostile treatment of them made them bitter enemies. His 
policy united the jarring elements, and confirmed the wavering 
in their Southern sympathies. Portions of this region had been 
considered somewhat lukewarm in Confederate sentiment up to 
that time, but General Banks succeeded in making the whole 
strongly Southern. In 1863 a member of Congi-ess from one of 
the Gulf States declared that he regarded it as " the soundest 
district in the Confederacy." 

General Banks seemed at first to intend a hot pursuit of 
Jackt;on, but this design was not executed. He massed his troops 
at Winchester, and, at the same time, a considerable force was 
sent across the Blue Ridge toward Fredericksburg. General 
Banks now regarding Jackson as for the time beyond his reach, 
and believing that the Confederate commanders had neither the 
ability nor the desire to return and attack him, turned over the 
command to his subordinate. General Shields, and repaired to 
the city of Washington. 

On the 21st of March Jackson received intelligence from 
Ashby, who had remained with his cavalry in front of the 
enemy, that their troops had evacuated the town of Strasburg, 
and fallen back in the direction of Winchester. He imme- 
diately resolved to follow them, and acted with his habitual 
promptness. From Mount Jackson, where his army lay, to 
Winchester, the distance was nearly fifty miles, and to arrive in 



KEKNSTOWlSr. 109 

time to strike the rear of the retiring enemy, the " Foot Cavalry," 
as the troops now began to be called, must put forth their utmost 
exertions. No time was lost. Jackson broke up his camp, 
placed himself at the head of his column, and leaving Mount 
Jackson at dawn on the 22d, marched twenty-six miles, and biv- 
ouacked that night at Cedar Creek, beyond Strasburg. Ashby 
had followed the enemy, incessantly skirmishing with their rear- 
guard, and on the evening of Jackson's arrival at Cedar Creek, 
had an animated engagement with cavalry and artillery, in which 
General Shields was slightly wounded by a fragment of shell. 
The action lasted until night, the enemy continuing to fall back. 

During his march Jackson received information from scouts 
and other sources which induced him to hurry forward still more 
rapidly. The enemy, he was informed, were sending off their 
stores and troops from Winchester ; only four regiments of in- 
fantry were noAV in the town ; and as he approached the place 
he was notified that fifteen thousand troops under General 
Williams were then moving through the Blue Ridge at Snick- 
er's Gap, below Berryville, to operate against General Johnston. 
Jackson saw at a glance that if this intelligence was reliable, an 
opportunity now presented itself to regain all his lost ground, 
and strike a heavy blow at the entire programme of the enemy. 
With his three or four thousand men he did not doubt his ability 
to crush the four regiments at Winchester, and this sudden and 
wholly unexpected attack on the enemy's rear would have the 
effect of retaining General Williams in the valley. 

Such was Jackson's design as he now hurried forward by 
forced marches to Winchester. He did not doubt the report 
which had been brought to him of the small force there. He 
had received his intelligence " from a source remarkable for re- 
liability," Colonel Ashby, and it was not until he was actually 
engaged with the enemy that he found the Federal force amount- 
ed to about eleven thousand men. 

Marching from Cedar Creek at dawn he continued to press 
forward, and about noon came up with the enemy's rear at the 
little village of Kernstown, which is situated on the valley turn- 



110 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

pike, about three miles from Wiachester. Here the men stacked 
arms, and threw themselves on the ground to snatch some rest 
after their incessant movement. The advance had been one of 
extreme rapidity, the troops having passed over a distance of 
more than forty miles within a period of less than thirty-six 
hours. The march had been so rapid that only 3,087 infantry, 
with 27 pieces of artillery, had been able to keep up ; and these 
were so thoroughly exhausted that they could scarcely stand. 
An eye-witness declares that " the men were utterly broken 
doAvn when they reached the battle-field, and so footsore and 
weary, that if they trod on a rock or any irregularity, they 
would stagger." This condition of the troops induced Jackson to 
resolve on deferring the attack until they had gained a night's rest, 
but he subsequently returned to his original intention. His pres- 
ence was known, as the eoemy's position gave them a fair view 
of his troops ; and fearing that they would hurry forward re- 
enforcements during the night, he resolved to attack them at 
once. The men were in excellent spirits in spite of their fatigue, 
and the order was given to prepare for battle. 

It was now four o'clock in the afternoon, and the declining 
sun wai'ned the Confederate commander that no time was to be 
lost. As the infantry came up he assigned them their places in 
the commanding position which he had selected on the turnpike, 
and impatiently awaited the return of the cavalry scouts which 
had been sent out to reconnoitre. "Wliile he was thus engaged 
forming his troops in line of battle, the roar of Ashby's guns 
directly in front showed that the action had begun. Jackson 
was still forming his line when the scouts hurried in, and in- 
formed him that the enemy, who had been posted in heavy force 
on the right of the turnpike, were then making a circuit at a 
double-quick, and as secretly as possible, to the left. 

Their intentions were thus developed. They obviously de- 
signed, under cover of a demonstration on the Confederate front, 
to move around and assail the left flank — a repetition of their 
strategy at Manassas — and dispositions were promptly made to 
meet this emergency. Ashby was left with his cavalry and ar 



KEENSTOWN. Ill 

tillerj, supported by Colonel Barks' brigade, to guard the turn- 
pike ; and with Colonel Fulkerson's and General Garnett's bri- 
gades (the latter the " Stonewall"), and a gun from Carpenter's 
battery, Jackson moved to the left, and rapidly pushed on to gain 
an elevated position which commanded the enemy's right. 

The battle of Kernstown was fought near the eastern decliv- 
ity of the Little North Mountain, not far from the spot where 
the Opequan takes its rise. The country is undulating, and 
generally open, but with patches of oak, birch, and other trees, 
which afford a good cover for infantry. The fields are large, 
gently rolling, and divided by rail fences or stone walls. At 
the end of March, when the action took place, a portion of the 
ground was ploughed, but the greater part was covered with a 
thick crop of broom straw. Where the battle raged most hotly 
the opposing lines were almost in collision with each other ; the 
woods in which they were formed being only separated by a 
narrow neck of open field, where the ground sunk down in one 
of the undulations mentioned. This was alternately taken pos- 
session of by both parties. On the left of this position was a 
common rail fence which ran perjoendicular to the Confederate 
line, and formed a connecting link between the adversaries. At 
right angles with this, and in front of the Confederate left wing, 
was a substantial stone wall in a field of ploughed ground, which 
extended toward the base of the mountain. 

To attain the high groimd on the left was the object of both 
adversaries. The struggle thus became, in its very commence- 
ment, an attempt of each to outflank his opponent. The enemy 
had gotten the start, but Jackson moved promptly to counteract 
this advantage, and succeeded — through a heavy fire of artillery 
directed at his column as it swept across the fields — in reaching, 
without loss, the position selected for his artillery. He opened 
fire immediately with the gun from Carpenter's battery, and 
then hastened back in person to hurry forward the rest of the 
artillery. Every moment now counted, and new batteries came 
up quickly. Waters' battery, and McLaughlin's " Rockbridge 
artillery," one piece of which had done such good service in the 



112 LIFE OF STONEWALL JAOKSON. 

hands of Captain Pendleton at Falling "Waters, were placed in 
position ; and supported by tlie 21st Virginia, Colonel Patton, 
who was ordered by Jackson to stand by the guns to the last, 
opened fire on the Federal columns, which were seen rapidly 
moving to the left. Their batteries promptly replied to the chal- 
lenge, and for some time a rapid and continuous fixe was kept 
up — showers of case shot and shell falling in the midst of tho 
troops, but doing them little injury. 

During this animated duel between the opposing batteries, 
the infantry of the two armies had continued steadily moving to 
the left, and in that quarter the real contest soon commenced, 
to which the artillery fire had only been the prelude. All at 
once a long roar of musketry resounded from the woods, where 
the Confederate left was posted, and in a moment the air was 
filled with the din of battle. Colonel Echols, of the 27th Vir- 
gioia, had opened the action by an attack upon the force imme- 
diately in his front, and this, he soon ascertained, was very 
large. Jackson watched the contest closely, and seeing that 
Echols was hard pressed by numbers, ordered the 21st Virginia 
to Ills support. That regiment advanced and took position on 
Echols' right, and the battle began to rage in earnest. The 
enemy were masked in the woods, opposite Echols and Patton, 
and, throwing forward line after line, made vigorous attempts to 
outflank the Confederates both on the right and the left. These 
attempts were partially successful, but did not accomplish their 
object. The Federal infantry reached the flank of Jackson's 
line, and poured a steady fire into the Southern troops ; but the 
position of the latter, in the woods, partially concealed them, 
and the Federal fire being too high, they suffered comparatively 
small loss, and did not retire. The remainder of Fulkerson's 
brigade now came to their support, and soon afterwards the 
Stonewall Brigade hastened up and formed line of battle upon 
Fulkerson's right. These opened immediately a rapid and de- 
structive fire. Before it the enemy's first line gave back, and 
could not be rallied ; but fresh troops instantly took its place, 
and a resolute charge was again made upon the Confederates. 



KERNSTOWN. 113 

It was repiilsed ; and for some time this continued to be the 
character of the contest- — the Federal troops rushing forward, 
the Confederates meeting them with a heavy fire, repulsing and 
pursuing — and then the sudden appearance of Federal reserves, 
in turn driving back their adversaries. 

The Southern infantry engaged in every part of the field 
numbered 2,742 men, according to Jackson's official report ; and 
he estimates the force of the enemy present at 11,000, of whom 
" over 8,000 " he declares were probably engaged. They were 
thus enabled to meet the Confederate assaults with fresh troops 
from the reserves, and did do so with promptness. One Fed- 
eral regiment was completely repulsed, and the Confederates 
were hotly pursuing the men into the woods, when they suddenly 
found themselves confronted by a fresh regiment which had been 
lying down. " They seemed to rise," says an eye-witness, " out 
of the earth, and coming forward in beautiful order at a double- 
quick, took their place " — with the stars and stripes, says 
another, " flaunting in our very faces." The battle thus contin- 
ued to rage with varying fortunes, the Federal forces having 
failed to secure any advantage. The roll of musketry in the 
woods, says one who heard it, " rose and fell, and swelled on 
the air like some grand infernal organ." The artillery contin- 
ued to thunder from its position, but its deep diapason was no 
match for the frightful din which rose steadily from the woods, 
and showed that the more fatal " smaU arms " were busy at 
their work. 

The action had now become furious. There was little ma- 
noeuvring on the part of either adversary — all was hard, close 
fighting. The lines wavered to and fro — advanced rapidly or 
retired as quickly — and the musketry fire never relaxed. Men 
and officers were falling or being wounded and borne off" at every 
moment. Colonel Echols had his arm broken by a bullet, and 
was compelled to yield the command of his regiment to Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel Grigsby. Lieutenant Dale, of the 5th Virginia, 
fell while leading on his men. Captain Jones of the Irish bat- 
talion, mounted a stump and was cheering on his company, Avhen 
8 



114 LITE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

a bullet penetrated bis brain, and he too fell. Captains Austin, 
Robertson, Morrison, Lieutenant Lisle, and Lieutenant Junkin, 
one of Jackson's aide-de-camps, were some of them wounded, 
and all taken prisoners. Colonel Burks had his horse shot in 
four different places, and six balls passed through his clothes. 
Three times the colors of the 2d Virginia were shot down, and 
but for the gallantry of Colonel Allen, who leaped from his 
horse and seized them, they would have been captm-ed. 

The battle raged thus blindly and without plan as it were, 
for nearly two hours. " There was almost a continuous roai 
of musketry," says Jackson in his report of the action, " the 
enemy's repulsed regiments being replaced by fresh ones from 
his large reserves." Jackson was everywhere seen under the 
hottest fire, waving his sword around his head, and exclaiming, 
" Give them one more volley, my brave boys ! " His form tow- 
ered above the smoke on his sorrel horse ; and a participant in 
the battle makes the statement that he led five distinct charges 
in person. 

The Federal commander was still endeavoring to accomplish 
his original design of turning Jackson's left, and assaulting him 
in the rear. But at that point Fulkerson, with the 23d under 
Tahaferro, and the 27th under Carson, held the position against 
six Federal regiments without flinching. The gi-ound was pe- 
culiar — the adversaries occupying a sku*t of woods on each side 
of a narrow field of ploughed ground, with the substantial stone 
wall which we have mentioned, running directly across it, in 
their front and parallel with their lines. The distance was in- 
considerable between the two lines of battle, and the stone wall 
was a coveted object with both, as it would enable them to shel- 
ter themselves entirely from their opponent's fire. To attain 
this advantage the two lines now gradually advanced, continu- 
ing to fire hotly as they came. When within close and deadly 
range, each broke at a rapid double-quick for the wall, cheering 
loudly and endeavoring to reach it first. The Confederates beat 
their opponents ; they occupied the position while their enemies 
were still forty or fifty yards distant, and, di-opping on their 



KEKNSTOWJ!^. 115 

knees, rested their guns on the wall, and poured a heavy volley 
into the Federal line. The effect w^as decisive. The enemy 
broke in confusion, left one of their colors on the field, and re- 
treated in disorder to the shelter of the woods. An Ohio and a 
Pennsylvania regiment, which took part in this charge, are said 
to have carried back only twenty men. The rest were killed, or 
left on the field, and Fulkerson remained in possession of the 
ground. 

The force of the Federal commander was too large, how- 
ever, to render this and other advantages gained by the South- 
ern troops, in any degree decisive of the result. Their reserves 
enabled them to fill up the broken ranks, and after each repulse 
they returned with vigor to the encounter. The engagement 
had become general in every portion of the field, and the fire of 
artillery and musketry was incessant. The batteries roared 
hotly from the rising ground on the right — on the left the rattle 
of musketry never ceased or relaxed — and from the direction 
of the turnpike, on the Confederate right, was heard the contin- 
uous thunder of the artillery under Ashby. The enemy were 
pressing him, too, as they were Fulkerson on the left ; and the 
effort to turn Jackson's flanks and silence his artillery became 
desperate. The guns were the aim of the Federal batteries, 
and the object of charge after charge by their infantry. The 
fire on them was accurate, and resulted in some loss. One gun 
was dismounted from its carriage by a round shot, and another 
was overturned by the frightened horses, among whom a shell 
had burst. Both pieces subsequently fell into the hands of the 
enemy. The charges which the artillery sustained were deter- 
mined. As a piece belonging to the Rockbridge battery was 
hurrying to take position in a different portion of the field, it was 
observed by a Federal regiment close at hand, and a charge 
made to capture it. The ofiicer commanding the gun withheld 
his fire until the enemy were within less than one hundred yards, 
when the piece was double shotted with canister and discharged. 
The execution was frightful, and a second shot drove back the 
entire regiment. They retired in confusion, and one of the can- 



116 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

noneers who served at the gun, declares that the field, as the 
smoke lifted, was " one withering mass of humanity." 

Jackson's whole force, with the exception of Campbell's and 
Langhorne's regiments, was by this time engaged ; and he after- 
wards declared to one of his officers that it was " a fiercer fight, 
during its continuance, than any portion of the battle of Ma- 
nassas." The stubborn stand made by the Confederates un- 
doubtedly discouraged the Federal troops exceedingly, and the 
citizens of "Winchester declared that " crowds came stampeding 
through Winchester during the fight, making for Yankee-land, 
and exclaiming that they were utterly routed." These numer- 
ous stragglers were seen at Charlestown, on the next morning, 
twenty-five miles distant ; and there is reason to believe that at 
one time the result of the action was extremely doubtful. Three 
times the stars and stripes were seen to fall, and three times the 
headlong charge of the entire Federal line was met and repulsed. 
Their officers behaved with great gallantry, and were seen riding 
up and down behind the lines, striking the men with their 
swords, and ordering them to return to the contest. The Con- 
federate officers were equally active, and performed many acts 
of personal gallantry. Captain B. W. Leigh, of the Irish Bat- 
talion, when his men were thrown into disorder, seized the col- 
ors, and advancing imder a heavy fire to a hillock in front of the 
enemy, rallied his broken line for a new struggle. Other exhi- 
bitions of soldierly coolness were witnessed on the part of offi- 
cers, and the men fought with a persistence scarcely to have 
been expected in raw troops, the majority of whom had never 
before met the enemy. When the ammunition of some of the 
regiments became exhausted, the men borrowed from their com- 
rades, and in the hottest part of the battle they were seen to stoop 
and cut the cartridge-boxes from the dead bodies of the enemy. 

The battle continued with unrelenting fury until the shades 
of night began slowly to creep across the fields. The sun had 
sunk behind the North Mountain, casting the long shadows of 
the contending lines over the expanse of broom-straw, now dab- 
bled in blood, and waving in the chilly March winds ; and still 



KEENSTOWN. 117 

tlie affair seemed as far from being decided as at first. The 
moment, however, was near at hand when the ranks of the Con- 
federates were to be borne back, and the Federal forces were to 
hold possession of the hard-fought field. 

Jackson always believed that he lost the battle of Kernstown 
by the falling back of the Stonewall Brigade. How did these 
tried troops, under gaUant officers, come to incur this grave im- 
putation from their old chief ? This question we shaU endeavor 
to answer. The Stonewall Brigade had taken position on the 
right of Fulkerson, and had sustained charge after charge with- 
out wavering. In their turn they had charged, with . all the 
soldierly ardor which had animated them at Manassas, and the 
Federal colors had more than once sunk before them. The 
brigade had come, at various times, to the support of nearly 
every regiment on the field, and late in the afternoon their sup- 
ply of ammunition became exhausted. This unfortunate acci- 
dent occuiTed at the most critical moment of the battle, when 
they were hotly engaged ; and finding that his men were only 
being butchered, without the power to return the enemy's fire, 
General Garnett, commanding the brigade, ordered his lines to 
retire a short distance, where they were less exposed. Such 
was the origin of this unfortunate movement. Jackson Avas 
watching the progress of the action from a point near at hand, 
when suddenly, to his inexpressible chagrin, he saw the lines of 
his old brigade fall back. He galloped to the spot — stern, fiery, 
and menacing as "Washington at Monmouth — and imperatively 
ordering General Garnett to hold his gi-ound, pushed forward to 
stop and rally the men. Seeing a drummer retreating like the 
rest, he seized him by the shoulder, dragged him to a rise in the 
ground, in full view of the troops, and said, in his curt quick 
tones, " Beat the rally ! " 

The drum rolled at his order, and with his hand on the 
frightened drummer's shoulder, amid a storm of balls, Jackson 
saw that the disordered lines were reformed and brought into 
something like order. 

But he had arrived too late. The enemy had seen their 



118 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

advantage, and Avere now pressing forward with triumphant 
cheers They penetrated the opening, turned Fulkerson's right, 
and he was forced back in disorder. At the same moment the 
approaching roar of Ashby's artillery from the direction of the 
turnpike, indicated that the enemy were pressing down upon 
the right. The day was lost. 

But Jackson would not yield. His stem temper was fully 
aroused, and with the heavy columns pressing him on both flanks 
and in front, he refused to abandon the struggle. Under bis 
passionate appeals and orders the 5th Virginia, though almost 
entirely without ammunition, re-formed under a heavy fire, and 
taking position directly in front, held the enemy in check, with- 
out support, until the arrival of the 42d, under Colonel Lang- 
horne. This regiment was hurried forward, and formed on the 
right of the 5th. But the day was lost. The enemy had pushed 
forward rapidly, and turned the Confederate left flank ; and the 
handful of Southerners who still held their ground, saw the 
Federal columns sweeping round and nearly enveloping them. 
The two regiments supported for a time the weight of the masses 
thrown against them ; but the Federal flanking column having 
gotten almost entirely in the rear of the 5th Virginia, it was 
forced to fall back. This exposed the left flank of the 42d, and 
that regiment in turn was thrown into disorder, and retired be- 
fore the enemy. 

With his left thus enveloped, his cavalry retii'iug along the 
turnpike on his right, and his centre broken through, Jackson 
could no longer continue the contest. He gave no order to re- 
treat, but that or destruction was the alternative, and the lines 
retreated sullenly from the field. It was Jackson's first and 
last defeat, and he " died hard," fighting to the last. His sole 
remaining regiment had been ordered forward to continue the 
action, but before it arrived he determined to fall back. The 
troops, says an officer who was present, fell back " without 
panic"* — sole cheering incident! — and the enemy was in pos- 
session of the field. 

* " Such was their gallantry and high stute of discipline, that at no time 



BEHIND THE SCENES. 119 

Night had descended, and a chill wind sighed in its passage 
over the wide fields of broom-straw, and through the gloomy 
depths of the forest, where so many dead and wounded men 
were lying. The Federal troops hrfd won the day, but the price 
of the victory had been bloody. 



CHAPTER VII. 

BEHIND THE SCENES. 

Before passing to the events which succeeded the battle of 
Kernstown, let us glance at some particulars relating to this 
singular and comparatively unknown conflict. Many persons 
regarded it as a blunder in Jackson ; others as one of his chief 
successes. Federal writers claim a victory certain from the 
first ; but Jackson died in the belief that if he had held his 
ground ten minutes longer, the enemy would have retreated. 
Northern accounts stated the Federal numbers at 10,000, and 
Jackson's at 12,000. Such were the various opinions. "What 
was the truth ? 

The battle was not a blunder or an accident, but the result 
of calculation and design. Jackson was misinformed in relation 
to the force in his immediate front, but would have fought it, at 
the same time and place, with full knowledge of its amount. 
An attack was necessary to accomplish his object — the retention 
of the Federal forces in the valley ; and this attack he would 
certainly have made. When he commenced his march from 
Mount Jackson, the Federal troops were leaving the valley ; and 
as he approached Winchester, General Williams, with his 15,000 
men, was below UpperviUe, east of the Blue Ridge, ready to 
press General Johnston, who, falling back from Manassas, had 
reached the Rapidan. It was important to divert this force from 

during the battle or pursuit did they give way to panic." — General Shields' 
Report. 



120 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

its march, for the relief of General Johnston, and the battle of 
Kernsto'wn accomplished this. The roar of artiUery from Win- 
chester was plainly heard by the Federal commander ; and 
under the impression, no doubt, that Jackson had been strongly 
reenforced, and had fallen upon General Shields, General "Wil- 
liams made a rapid countermarch to his assistance. It will be 
seen that Jackson's whole force up was 3,087, and that of Gen- 
eral Shields estimated at 11,000. Thus the assault of about 
3,000 men, kept about 26,000 from operating against Johnston. 

The action was, beyond doubt, one of the fiercest encounters 
of the war. Jackson states his force present on the evening of 
the battle to have been 3,087 infantry, 290 cavalry, and 27 
pieces of^ artillery. Of this number, 2,742 infantry, the whole 
of the cavalry, and 18 pieces of artillery were engaged. The 
Federal force seems to have considerably exceeded this. Jack- 
son estimated their numbers on the field at 11,000, and stated 
that " probably over 8,000 were engaged." He was always ex- 
tremely cautious in his statements, and this is doubtless not far 
from the truth, though it would seem improbable, that in a con- 
flict so obstinate and doubtful, the Federal commander would 
keep out of action reserves amounting to about 3,000 men — 
more than Jackson's whole force engaged. Taking this estimate, 
however, the Federal force was three times greater than the 
Confederate. The loss of the latter was 80 killed and 342 
wounded — 122. A Federal officer stated, some days afterwards, 
that their loss in killed was 418. The Federal report is not at 
hand. 

The battle was an undoubted defeat of the Confederates. 
General Shields wrote : " The enemy's sufferings have been 
terrible, and' such as they have nowhere else endured since the 
beginning of this war." The Southern loss was heavy, the vic- 
tory complete ; but in spite of this, the affair was spoken of 
among Federal officers as one over which they had very little 
reason to rejoice. The bloody resistance made by the Southern 
troops was the topic of conversation in Winchester, and the 
officers, it is even said, " did not claim a victory, only a drawn 



BEHIND THE SCENES. 121 

battle." We have quoted General Shields' statement, that the 
Confederates at no time " gave way to panic ; " the testimony 
of another Federal authority was, that the stubborn stand made 
by one of the Federal regiments, " alone saved them." 

These are not recorded in order to glorify the Southern 
arms, but to show that this brief and desperate conflict with 
which the spring of 1862 opened, was at one time very uncei-- 
tain. A further proof of this is a statement made by Ashby to 
Col. J. M. Patton. Ashby stated that when the Southern line 
fell back, in consequence of the movement of the Stonewall Bri- 
gade, an order for the Federal troops to retire was actually on 
the way from General Shields, and would have arrived in ten 
minutes. " This," says Colonel Patton, " I had from Colonel 
Turner Ashby, who told me he knew it to he so." Ashb^s char- 
acter was very high, and he would not make such a statement 
lightly. Jackson, it is certain, believed it ; hence his displeasure 
at the order from General Garnett, one of the bravest men in 
the army, which virtually lost him, as he believed, the victory. 

Private letters brought through the lines seemed to indicate 
no depression of mind in those who sympathized with the Con- 
federates. The people around Winchester were said to regard 
'• the gallant fight of Sunday in the light of a victory," and an- 
other letter described the passage of the Confederate prisoners 
through the town as " a march of triumph rather than of defeat." 
Every attention was paid to them by the ladies of Winchester, 
remarkable throughout the whole war for their Confederate 
sympathies, and the success of the Federal troops seemed only 
to intensify the bitterness of their dislike for the blue uniform. 
Contemporary narratives paint the scene vividly — the waving 
handkerchiefs as the Southern prisoners passed by, and the flushed 
cheeks, and eyes full of scornful tears, as the ladies glanced 
from the rg^ged scarecrows of Jackson to the finely dressed 
Federal officers. The saddest scene of all was the appearance 
of mothers and sisters upon the ghastly field of Kernstown. The 
mayor of Winchester and the citizens dug a pit on the battle- 
field, and buried the dead bodies of the Southern soldiers. 



122 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSOJS'. 

Among the crowd were many of the ladies of Winchester, close- 
ly scanning the bodies as they were brought up one by one, and 
sobbing as they recognized some relation or friend. Many 
found their kindred among the dead left on the field, for the 
larger part of Jackson's force was from tlic valley, and the 
spectacle of the recognition of the bodies was harrowing. It 
affected even the Federal officers present ; but one of these de- 
clares that every feeling of the Southern ladies, even grief for 
the dead, seemed merged into an intense hatred toward them- 
selves. With flashing eyes and flushed faces, they would ex- 
claim, " You may bring the whole force of the North here, but 
you can never conquer us ! — we will shed our last drop of 
blood ! " * 

Jackson had retreated from the field of Kernstown ; but he 
did not go far, and did not seem to be aware of any danger in 
remaining near the victorious enemy. Retiring to the position 
on the turnpike which he had occupied in the morning, he issued 
orders for the troops to bivouac where they were, and soon the 
fii'es were seen sparkling like stars along the roadside, the men 

* "There is nothing," says the correspondent of a Northern journal, 
writing of the Southern ladies, " nothing they will not surrender with a smile 
— the gemmed ring, the diamond bracelet, the rich wardrobe. They cut up 
rich carpets for soldiers' blankets without a sigh ; they take the fine linen 
from their persons for bandages. When four hundred of Longstreet's men 
came up to Nashville prisoners of war, about the roughest, dirtiest looking set 
of fellows the sun ever shone on, and a flight of stairs in the building they 
occupied fell, killing and wounding a large number of them, you should have 
seen the fair young traitoresses come forth from the old aristocratic mansions, 
bearing restoratives and delicacies in their hands, mingling in the dingy crowd, 
wiping away the blood with their white handkerchiefs, and uttering words of 
cheer ; should have seen them doing this with hundreds of Union soldiers all 
around, and smiUug back on the rough blackguards of rebels as they left. 
But in all there was a defiant air in their humanity strange to see. Of a 
truth, Ihey carried it off grandly. And about all these girls were in mourn- 
ing for dead rebels — brothers, lovers, friends, whom these same girls had 
tneered into treason and driven into rebellion, and billowed all the South 
with their graves ; and the least they could do was to wear black for them 
and flaunt black from the window blinds. Chthed be (heir souk in hlack.^' 



BEHIND THE SCENES. 123 

cooking their rations and laughing over the events of the day, 
Jackson got an armful of corn for his horse, and, wrapping his 
blanket around him, laid down by a fire in a fence corner and 
went to sleep. He was close enough to hear the conversation 
of the Federal soldiers at their camp fires. At four o'clock io 
the morning he commenced his retreat. 

The enemy followed, and at Cedar Creek opened upon his 
trains with artillery, forcing him to continue his retreat. It 
was made deliberately, and growing tired, apparently, of assail- 
ing so impassive an adversary, the Federal commander gave 
up the pursuit, fell back from Strasburg, barricading the roads 
in his rear, and returned to "Winchester. 

One of the many peculiar features of the battle above de- 
scribed, was the efl^ect it produced upon the men and the opinion 
it gave them of Jackson. Defeats generally dishearten troops, 
and put them out of humor with their commander. The result 
on this occasion seems to have been very difierent. " We don't 
feel at all whipped," wrote an officer to his wife ; and if it were 
worth while, we might record many incidents showing that the 
men of Jackson were proud of their exertions at Kernstowu, and 
believed that the enemy had sufiered far more than themselves. 
Their sentiment toward their commander was still more strik- 
ing. Jackson had fought them desperately, and had them near- 
ly cut to pieces ; but one of the officers of Loring, who signed 
the protest against him at Romney, says that after Kernstown 
" the men went frantic about him." As he passed along the 
column they cheered him vociferously — the men of Loring as 
well as of his own Stonewall Brigade. To fight them with despera- 
tion and march them to death, seemed, to judge from their de- 
meanor, the best claims on the regards of the troops. They 
struggled on exhausted, but j esting, and one Avas heard to say : 
*' Why is Old Jack a better general than Moses ? Because it 
took Moses forty years to lead the Israelites through the wilder- 
ness, and Old Jack would have double-quicked them through in 
three days ! " Jackson's spirit of combativeness seems to have 
excited this enthusiasm ; and it is certain that fi'om the time of 



124: LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

the battle of Kernstowa, he seemed able to achieve, with his own 
particular troops, impossibilities almost. He held them in his 
grasp as a sharp and tempered weapon, and it never failed him. 



CHAPTER Vni. 
Mcdowell. 

Keenstown had been only a momentary check. The 
enemy now resumed their former design of following Jackson 
and clearing out the upper regions of the valley, with an energy 
greater than before. 

The plans of the Federal authorities for the conduct of the 
campaign and the thorough subjugation of the State were now 
ripe. The following letter fi-om General McClellan, addressed 
to General Banks on the first day of April, will throw some 
light on the Federal programme : 



Headquarters Army of the Potomac, 
On board Commodore, Aj>ril 1, 1862. 



52. \ 
Major-General N. p. Banks, Commanding 5th Army Coiys : 

General : The change in affairs in the Valley of the Shenandoah has ren- 
dered necessary a corresponding departure — temporary at least — from the plan 
we some days since agreed upon. 

In my arrangements I assume that you have a force suflScient to drive 
Jackson before you, provided he is not reenforced largely. I also assume 
that you may find it impossible to find any thing towards Manassas for some 
days ; probably not until the operations of the main army have dra\vn all the 
rebel force toward Richmond, . . . 

I doubt whether Johnston will now reiinforce Jackson with a view to offen- 
sive operations. The time has probably passed when he could have gained 
any thing by so doing. . . . 

I will order Blenker to move on Strasburg, and report to you for tempo- 
rary duty ; so that, should you find a large force in your front, you can avail 
yourself of his aid. . . . 

In regard to your movements — the most important thing is to throw Jack- 
eon well back, and then to assume such a position as will enable you to pre- 



MoDOWELL. 125 

vent his return. As soon as the railway communications are reestablished, it 
will be probably important and advisable to move on Staunton ; but this 
would require commiuiications, and a force of 25,000 to 30,000 for active op- 
erations. It should also be nearly coincident with my own move on Rich- 
mond ; at all events not so long before it as to enable the rebels to concen- 
trate on you and then return on me. . . . 

Please inform me frequently by telegraph and otherwise as to the state of 
things in your front. T am very truly yours, 

GEORGE B. McCLELLAN, 

Major-General Commanding. 

It will thus be seen that, to " throw Jackson weU back," and, 
when the railroad was ready, to " move on Staunton," were the 
intentions of the Federal commander about the first of April. 
To cooperate with General Banks, two other columns were to 
move in the same direction from different points — one under 
General Fremont from the upper waters of. the Potomac, and a 
considerable force under General MUroy from the direction of 
Monterey. With Banks and Fremont following on Jackson's 
rear, and Mih*oy sweeping down on his flank from the western 
mountains, it was confidently anticipated that the Confederate 
leader would be crushed, and the rich region around Staunton 
fall into the hands of the Federal forces. 

Such was the plan of operations, and such the situation of 
Jackson, in the beginning of the month of April, which had now 
opened with its bright verdure and brilliant sky. 

Jackson slowly retreated after the battle of Kernstown, the 
enemy pursuing him in force and skirmishing incessantly with 
his rear-guard under Ashby. That cavalier was untiring in the 
performance of his important duty, and the roar of his artillery 
continued throughout the day — saluting the ears of the troops as 
they awoke in the morning or laid down in bivouac at night. 
The men suffered few hardships during the retreat. The 
weather was growing mild, and delightful with the approaching 
spring, and though, by an order of Jackson, none but command- 
ers of brigades were allowed to have tents, the troops did not 
complain of sleeping in the open air. They kindled their camp- 
fires on the side of the turnpike, and, lulled by the distant thun- 



126 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSOX. 

dcr of Ashby's artillery, went to sleep as soundly as if they had 
been at home in their beds. 

Jackson thus crept along in the days succeeding Kernstown 
— like a wounded wolf, but turning every moment to snap at his 
pursuers, and offer battle if they pressed on him — and thus came 
again to the vicinity of Mount Jackson, whore he went into 
the old camps which he had abandoned to march to "Winchester. 
Plere he remained for naore than a fortnight, paying no attention 
to the enemy, whose large force was at the village of Edinburg, 
in his front. General Banks seems to have been afraid to 
attack him during this time, and contented himself with skir- 
mishes while waiting for reeuforcements to his already large 
army. 

About the middle of April, however. General Banks again 
began to move, and Jackson promptly broke up his camp and 
resumed his retreat. He reached the north fork of the Shenan- 
doah where the turnpike crosses it without loss, and now, if he 
could destroy the bridge in his rear before the enemy reached it, 
their further advance would be temporarily checked. They 
were pressing on, driving Ashby before them ; and knowing the 
importance of preventing, if possible, the destruction of the 
bridge, made great exertions to attain that object. Ashby held 
them in check only by the most determined fighting ; and when 
the infantry and artillery crossed the bridge, the roar of the 
guns from the rear-guard, close at hand, indicated the 
near approach of the enemy. The bridge was finally passed by 
the army, and it was Ashby's business now to destroy it, and 
check further pursuit. The task delighted this soldier; for 
nothing is more certain than the fact that he loved danger for 
its own sake, and never was so happy as when contending 
face to face with imminent peril. Those who diflier from him 
in temperament may doubt this assertion, but the friends who 
knew him best will support our statement. The work now be- 
fore him was one of those tests of the stern fibre of his courage 
which he loved best of all in the life of a soldier. With the masses 
of Federal cavalry and artillery, supported by infantry, pressing 



McDowell. 127 

hotly on him, he had employment for his best faculties. Hur- 
rying his cavalry across the bridge, he followed in person with 
the artillery, which thundered over at a gallop, and then with a 
detachment of picked men he hastened to apply fire to the bridge. 
The enemy wei-e now upon him. Their cavalry advanced at a 
gallop, firing volleys as they came, but Ashby remained seated 
upon his white horse superintending the work. It was more 
ditBcult than he had expected. The timbers were wet from 
rain, the flame would not kindle, and the bullets whistling 
around the heads of the working party embarrassed their exer- 
tions. The Federal cavalry had now reached the bridge, the 
first files dashed across, and Ashby's men ran to their horses, 
leaving him alone. He was obliged to follow or be captured, 
and galloped ofi* last, pursued by eight of the enemy, whose fire 
he was unable to return, his own pistols having been emptied. 
They followed him closely, firing incessantly upon him as he re- 
treated, and this animated chase continued for nearly two miles. 
Assistance was then near, and, looking back, Ashby saw that 
two of his pursuers were in advance of the rest. This odds was 
not great, and he at once reined in. The Federal cavalrymen 
came on at a headlong gallop, carried forward by their horses, 
and the next moment terminated their career. A bullet from 
one of Ashby's command pierced one of them through the body, 
and the other, arriving abreast of Ashby, was cut down with one 
blow of his sabre. 

Such was the famous chase of Ashby. He had distanced 
his enemies, but the fine horse which he rode — the beautiful 
milk-white charger which the whole army admired — had received 
a mortal wound. A ball had pierced his side, and the blood 
was now gushing out at every pant. As he was led along the 
line of a regiment under arms, an eye-witness declares that he 
never had imagined so spirited and magnificent an animal. " He 
was white as snow," says our authority, '' except Avhere his side 
and legs Avere stained with his own blood. His mane and tail 
were long and flowing ; his eye and action evinced distinctly the 
rage with which he regarded the injury which he had received. 



128 LITE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

He trod the earth with the grandeur of a wounded lion, aud 
every soldier looked upon him with sympathy and admiration. 
He had saved his master at the cost of his own life. He almost 
seemed conscious of his achievement, and only to regret death 
because his own injuries were unavenged."* 

The Federal forces did not press Jackson closely after the 
passage of the bridge, and he continued his retreat without in- 
terruption. Crossing, on the 19th of April, into Elk Run Val- 
ley, he took up a strong position between that place and Swift 
Run Gap, and faced the enemy, with the determination to make 
a stand and receive his attack. His new position had been 
chosen with the eye of a soldier, and gave him many advan- 
tages. He was able here to meet, in a strong position, the assault 
of the force which had followed him up the valley ; to face the 
column under Milroy, rapidly advancing from the west, toward 
Staunton ; and, if necessary, to retreat upon Richmond, and unite 
his forces with those of General Johnston, against the army un- 
der General McClellan on the Peninsula. 

The strength of his position was appreciated by General 
Banks, and the main body of that commander's army did not 
proceed further south than Harrisonburg. He seems to have 
regarded the campaign as ended. On the 24th of April he tele- 
graphed to President Lincoln : " The rebel Jackson has aban- 
doned the Valley of Virginia permanently, and is en route to 
Gordonsville by the way of the mountains." General Banks 
was soon to find, however, that the dangerous rebel had no 
thought of retreating. 

We have a characteristic picture of Jackson at this time, 
which may interest the reader. He was riding, on one Simday 
morning, along his lines dra^vn up for inspection, when Dr. 
Dabncy, his chaplain, determined to address the men. He and 
Jackson accordingly dismounted and tied their horses ; the Bible 
was laid open upon the head of a bass drum ; the small drums 
beat to attention, and Dr. Dabney preached to the troops. Dur- 
ing the sermon of more than an hour, Jackson stood perfectly 
motionless, with his old cap drawn (\o^yTl to shield his eyes from 
* See note in Appendix. 



McDowell. 129 

the dazzling sunlight ; and throughout the whole sermon an offi- 
cer directly in front of him declares he did not move, or even 
" wink his eyes." 

Jackson's position was strong, but things looked hopeless for 
a further continuation of the campaign in the valley. Forced 
back to the Blue Ridge by the heavy columns in his front, he 
now saw approaching from the western mountains another army 
under Milroy, which would swoop down like a hawk upon 
Staunton, and the whole region be in the possession of the ene- 
my. General Milroy was rapidly moving from the direction 
of Monterey with his main body, and his advance force had 
already crossed the Shenandoah Mountain. 

The rich prize of the Valley of Virginia seemed almost in 
the Federal grasp — its fate trembled in the balance. If Banks 
and Milroy formed a junction, Staunton was gone ; and as Gen- 
eral Edward Johnson, with two brigades, was then near BuiFalo 
Gap, a further result from the seizure of a point so important 
would be to place the Federal forces between General Edward 
Johnson and the main army at Swift Run Gap. Jackson was 
forced to decide promptly what course he would pursue. Divide 
et impera was obviously his best policy ; and he determined to 
advance immediately and attack the force approaching from the 
west. General Ewell had just arrived from Gordonsville with 
his division, and Jackson posted him at Swift Run Gap to con- 
front General Banks, while by a forced march he would sweep 
around by Staunton, and fall upon General Milroy. After de- 
feating that commander, his design was to concentrate his own 
forces, Ewell's, and Johnson's, upon Banks, and drive his col- 
umn back down the valley to Winchester. 

His plans were instantly put into execution. Taking his 
own division, consisting of the brigades commanded by General 
Taliaferro, General Winder (StonewaU Brigade), and Colonel 
Campbell, he proceeded rapidly to Staunton, where he found 
General Smith, of the Virginia Military Institute, with his corps 
of cadets, which had been directed to repair thither for the de- 
fence of the region. From that point he continued to move 



130 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

westward, and, forming a junction with General Edward John- 
son, who had six regiments under his command, advanced by 
forced marches upon Milroy. 

On the morning of May the 7th, General Johnson, who 
knew the country thoroughly, and led the advance, encountered 
the enemy at the Shenandoah Mountain, and drove four regi- 
ments on picket there before him. They retreated in haste, 
and the Confederates took possession of their camps, in which 
were found tents, clothes, ai-ms, and a considerable amount of 
commissary stores. Scouts ascended the mountain, and were 
followed by a portion of the troops, who saw, as they reached the 
deserted camps on the summit of the range, the enemy's regi- 
ments retreating about five miles in front of them, on the east 
side of Bull Pasture Mountain. On the western slope of the 
Shenandoah Mountain, which had thus been cleared of the enemy, 
the men went into bivouac for the night. 

At sunrise on the following morning the troops were again 
put in motion, and advanced toward McDowell, a little village 
situated in the valley of that name, just beyond the Bull Pasture 
Mountain. The men pressed forward and approached the east- 
ern slope of the wooded range, when Ashby's scouts, who bad 
gone in advance and reconnoitred, returned with the intelligence 
that the enemy had posted four pieces of artillery in the road, 
on the western base of the mountain, with the obvious intention 
of disputing the further advance. The road at that point passed 
through a narrow gorge, which was susceptible of being defended 
by a very small force against one much larger ; and Jackson de- 
termined to turn the position by ascending the steep road leading 
up the mountain, near the gorge. This movement was executed 
without resistance on the part of the enemy, and the elevated 
ground was attained. General Johnson, who led the advance, 
then proceeded with a party of thirty men and several officers 
to the top of Sutlington's Hill, an isolated spur of the mountain, 
on the left of the main road, and saw before him, at his feet as 
it were, the whole valley of McDowell, bathed in the warm sun- 
light of the May morning. From this elevated point the entire 



MoDOWELL, 131 

position of the enemy was commanded, and their strength to a 
partial extent discovered. In the valley near McDowell a con- 
siderable body of infantry was seen, and a height more to the 
right was occupied by two additional regiments, drawn up in 
line of battle. Directly in front, about a mile from the position 
occupied by General Johnson, a battery had been posted, sup- 
ported by a body of infantry. 

The presence of the reconnoitring party on Sutlington's Hill 
was speedily discovered, and the enemy sent forward a body of 
skirmishers to attack it. These were engaged by the thirty men 
which formed General Johnson's escort, and the Federal skir- 
mishers were driven back. General Johnson then sent word to 
Jackson that the hiU was a position of great importance, and the 
six regiments of Johnson's command were accordingly despatched 
to him to hold it. 

The battle of McDowell commenced at this point, and was 
a struggle for the possession of Sutlington's Hill. 

As General Johnson's regiments were hurried forward, one 
after another, to the elevated ground, he hastened to place each 
in line of battle to repulse the assault which it was evident Gen- 
eral MUroy was now about to make. The Federal commander 
is said to have sent to General Fremont, who was approaching 
from the northwest, for reenforcements ; but he had a consider- 
able body of troops concentrated in front of the Confederates, 
and he seems to have determined to direct all his energies mean- 
while to the object of occupying the important position from 
which General Johnson had made his reconnoissance, in advance 
of the latter. 

Johnson had made rapid preparations to receive the ex- 
pected attack. His two brigades, respectively commanded by 
Colonels Scott and Connor, had not yet arrived, but a portion 
of one of them — the 52d Virginia infantry — was already in posi- 
tion in the woods on the left side of the spur. This regiment 
received and repulsed the assault of the enemy's skirmishers, 
and thus gave time for the arrival of the other regiments, all of 
which, but two, hastened forward to the positions assigned to 



132 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

them. The 52d Virginia, as we have said, held the left ; the 
58th Virginia formed on the right of that ; the 12th Georgia on 
the right of that, and holding the crest of the hill ; the 44th Vir- 
ginia on the right of all, near a ravine which protected its right 
flank. On the slope of the hill, in front of the Confederate lines, 
was a body of woods, in which the skirmishers were posted, and 
in this order General Johnson awaited the assault which he saw 
would soon be renewed. He had no artillery in position, nor 
was any used by the Confederates during the engagement. 
There was no road to the rear by which it could have been with- 
drawn in case of disaster. 

During the pause which succeeded the first advance of his 
skirmishers, and their repulse, the enemy opened with his artil- 
lery directly in front, and kept up a rapid and incessant cannon- 
ade while making his further preparations. A shower of case 
shot and sheU was thrown into the Confederate lines, but the 
troops were so well under cover, and the angle of elevation at 
which the pieces were fired was so great, that no loss Avas in- 
flicted. The artillery continued to thunder, with no response of 
any description, until the moment came for the advance of the 
Federal infantry, when it ceased firing. 

General Mih'oy had been reenforced by the arrival of Gen- 
eral Schenck, who had been hurried forward while the Confeder- 
ates were held in check by his artillery, and had now at his 
disposal a force estimated at 8,000 men. This force he threw 
forward, with the evident determination of carrying Sutlington's 
Hill, and driving the Southern troops from the advantageous 
position which they occupied on its summit. The attack was 
vigorous and resolute. Advancing a heavy line of infantry 
toward the western slope of the hiU, where the character of the 
ground and the thick woods afibrded him gi'eat protection, the 
enemy charged up the hill, drove the Confederate skii-mishers 
from their cover, and, emerging from the woods directly in front 
of Jackson's line, poured a sudden and galling fire upon his 
right. The 12th Georgia in the centre, and the 44th Virginia 
on its right, received this fire, and responded with a heavy vol- 



McDowell. 133 

ley ; and in a moment the battle began to rage with violence. 
These two regiments supported alone the whole weight of the 
column thrown against this point, delivering a fire so rapid and 
steady that the charge, which was intended to repulse and turn 
the Confederate right wing, completely failed. The two remain- 
ing regiments of Johnson's command, the 25th and 3lst Virginia, 
now hastened up the rough road to the support of the others ; and 
the Federal troops, having returned to the charge with greater 
fury than before, a sanguinary contest ensued all along the liae. 

The Federal commander seemed determined to make the 
battle " short and decisive," and to gain possession of the covet- 
ed hUl by one brief and desperate charge, wliich should over- 
whelm aU resistance, and accomplish his object at a blow. The 
Federal lines were thrown forward amid rolling volleys of mus- 
ketry, and they pressed General Johnson with a force so heavy 
that the utmost exertions of the troops under that commander 
were necessary to retain possession of the hiU. The densely 
wooded hillside was one long sheet of flame, and the reverbera- 
tions rising from the forest and rolling along the mountain 
warned Jackson that the moment had arrived to throw forward 
his main body. 

General Taliaferro was accordingly sent forward, and has- 
tened with his brigade up the rough and winding by-road which 
led from the turnpike to the summit of the hiU, the 21st Vir- 
ginia being left at the point on the turnpike where the wood 
road entered it to guard against an attack of the enemy on the 
rear. Taliaferro soon reached the field, and promptly threw his 
brigade into line of battle ; the 23d and 37th to support John- 
son's centre, where the 12th Georgia was holding its ground 
" with great gallantry ;" and the 10th Virginia on the left, where 
the 52d had succeeded in driving the enemy headlong down the 
hiU. This regiment, now reenforced by the 10th, advanced with 
loud cheers ; and such was the impetuosity of the men, that the 
Federal right wing was repulsed, and the Confederate left swept 
round with the design of assailing the enemy in flank, and forcing 
them back upon their centre. 



134 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON". 

The resolute and aggressive front thus displayed on Jackson's 
left induced the enemy to concentrate their main strength against 
his right, and, by a determined attack, attempt to turn that 
flank, and drive him from the hiU. This design Avas speedily 
discovered by Jackson, and his whole disposable force was rap- 
idly concentrated in that part of the field to resist it. Talia- 
ferro and the 12th Georgia came quickly to the assistance of the 
right wing, now hard pressed by numbers ; and observing that 
an elevated piece of woodland to the right and rear completely 
commanded the field, and afforded an excellent position to fall 
back to if necessary, Jackson hastened to occupy it with portions 
of the 25th and Slst Virginia regiments, which were hurried 
forward and rapidly placed in position. The interval between 
this force and the main body was fiUed by Campbell's brigade 
and the 10th Virginia which had hastened up from the left, and 
with this strong reserve posted in the woods near the base of the 
ridge, Jackson felt confident that the determined effort of the 
enemy to turn his right flank would be defeated. 

His anticipations were correct, and his dispositions crowned 
with success. The Federal forces made a persistent attempt to 
break through this new line and obtain possession of the hill ; 
but charge after charge was repulsed. General Johnson was 
wounded and forced to quit the field, but General TaUaferro 
took his place and led the troops with skdl and gallantry. Many 
officers fell ; among the killed and wounded were Colonel Gib- 
bons of the 10th, Colonel Ilarman of the 52d, Colonel Smith 
and Major Higginbotham of the 25th, and Major Campbell of 
the 42d Virginia. The Confederate troops, however, held the 
position which they had occupied, and the battle raged along the 
Avooded slopes of the mountain until after dark, when the Fed- 
eral forces gave up the attempt to carry the hill, and retu'cd. 

General Mih-oy did not want to sustain tlie attack which he 
had every reason to expect would be made upon him on the en- 
suing morning ; during the night he evacuated McDowell, set 
the woods on tire in his rear, and retreated toward Franklin. 

The battle of McDowell took place between the hours of half- 



Mcdowell. 135 

past four and half-past eight on the afternoon of the 8th of May, 
and thus lasted four hours. It was hotly contested, especially 
in the latter portion of the day, when the determined attempt 
was made by the enemy to turn the Confederate right, and some 
of the Southern regiments suffered severely. The Confederate 
loss in killed was 71, in wounded 390, making a total loss of 
461. That of the Federal troops is not known, as they held 
their ground until night and bore off their dead. But 103 bodies 
are said to have been discovered, covered with brushwood, in a 
hollow of the mountain. At the village of McDowell a camp 
was found, with large bake ovens, cooking stoves, and every 
appliance of comfort. The camp equipage, some cases of fine 
Enfield rifles, and other public stores, fell into the hands of the 
Confederates. 

Having announced his success to the authorities at Richmond 
by the brief despatch, " God blessed our arms with victory at 
McDowell yesterday," Jackson went in pursuit of General Mil- 
roy, and continued to press him until he had reached the neigh- 
borhood of the town of Franklin. The Federal troops, who had 
halted here, did not offer battle, but retiring to the mountains 
near at hand, planted their batteries, and set fire to the woods in 
front to conceal their position. The dense smoke which rose 
from the burning forest effectually accomplished this object, and 
night approaching Jackson made no attack. On the next morn- 
ing he found that the enemy had taken up a very strong position, 
and as his own situation, with General Banks at Harrisonburg, 
was by no means safe, he prepared to retrace his steps. 

Before leaving Franklin he determined, however, to formally 
return thanks to God for his success in the recent conflict. The 
scene which followed is said to have been affecting and impos- 
ing. Jackson drew up his men in a little valley about three 
miles north of Franklin, and after a few words, in his habitual 
curt tone, commending their gallantry at McDowell, appointed 
10 o'clock on that day as the occasion of prayer and thanksgiving 
for the victory. " There, in the beautiful little valley of the 
South Branch," says an eye-witness, " with the blue and tower- 



136 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

ing mountains covered with the verdure of spring, the green 
sward smiling a welcome to the season of flowers, and the bright 
sun unclouded, lending a genial refreshing warmth, that army, 
equipped for the stern conflict of war, bent in humble praise and 
thanksgiving to the God of battles, for the success vouchsafed to 
our arms." During this scene, the artillery of the enemy rolled 
its threatening thunders from time to time through the gorges of 
the mountain ; and if any there prayed, " from battle and mur- 
der and from sudden death, good Lord deliver us ! " the words 
must have seemed to them exceedingly appropriate, and formed, 
as it were, fof the occasion. Jackson stood as usual, motionless, 
with bent head and devout bearing, while the prayers were ut- 
tered by the chaplain ; and the reader may fancy his erect figm'e 
either that of some pious cavalier, or devout Roundhead, per- 
forming his devotions on the field of battle. 

This scene took place on the 14th of May, and on the same 
day Jackson marched his troops back to McDowell. On the 
next day he crossed the Shenandoah Mountain and halted at Leb- 
anon Springs, Avhere the army was permitted a brief rest from 
its fatigues, and an opportunity was afforded them to attend re- 
ligious services, and observe the day appointed by President 
Davis as one of fasting and prayer. On the 17th the troops 
were again in motion, and Jackson proceeded in the direction of 
Harrisonburg. 

General Banks had fallen back to Strasburg, eighteen miles 
from Winchester. This sentence sums up the results achieved 
by Jackson, in his advance against Milroy. The importance of 
the success at McDowell could scarcely be estimated too highly. 
General Banks had nearly consummated his plans to drive Jack- 
son from the valley, and was nearly in sight of Staunton, with 
Milroy approaching from the west, when, at the moment of 
greatest peril for the Confederate cause, appeared suddenly the 
Deus ex machina. Jackson advanced swiftly upon Milroy, and 
struck a heavy blow at that portion of the programme. lie 
then returned toward Harrisonburg to assail his more powerful 
adversary there ; but General Banks did not await his coming. 



JACKSON FLANKS HIS ADVEE8AKT. 137 

He fell back to Strasburg, and even this distant point, it will be 
seen, was only the "half-way house" on his retreat to the Po- 
tomac. 



CHAPTER IX. 

JACKSON FLANKS HIS ADVERSARY. 

The designs of Jackson now required energy, nerve, rapidity 
of movement, and all the greatest faculties of the soldier. Upon 
him depended, in no small degree, the fate of the campaign in 
Virginia. 

Events had hurried on. While he was marching and coun- 
termarchiug in the valley — advancing to attack his adversary, 
or retreating before him — the plans of the Federal Government 
in other portions of the field of operations had been urged on 
with the most untiring energy. The great outline of the Vir- 
ginia campaign, devised in the closet at Washington, had been 
translated into action, and the Federal forces steadily pressed on 
toward Richmond. IMcClellan had forced Johnston to evacuate 
the Peninsula, and withdraw his army behind the Chicka- 
hominy ; and when Jackson began to move in pursuit of Banks, 
the Northern forces were dark on the fields of New Kent. The 
narrow and insignificant current of the Chickahominy, at some 
points approaching within a few miles of Richmond, was all that 
now protected the front of Johnston from the attack of 156,000 
Federal troops, under the ablest general of the United States 
Army. 

This was only a portion of the peril. At Fredericksburg, 
General McDowell, who had displayed such good generalship in 
the great flank movement at Manassas, was stationed with about 
40,000 troops, and his preparations were nearly complete for an 
advance upon Richmond from the north. McClellan only waited 
for his arrival on the Chickahominy, to unite his right wing with 
McDowell's left, when the great assault on the Confederate capi- 



138 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

tal would follow. With nearly 200,000 troops hurled against it, 
the city, it was supposed, must be evacuated or destroyed, and 
the " Rebellion" terminated. 

To prevent this junction between the forces of McDowell 
and McClellan — to alarm President Lincoln, and induce him to 
withhold further re enforcements for the defence of his capital — 
euch was now the design of Jackson. If he could drive General 
Banks before him across the Potomac, he would accomplish this ; 
for the Federal authorities could not be at all sure that, in 
such an event, he would not cross into Maryland, and, taking 
advantage of the absence of McClellan's army, advance to the 
assault of Washington. 

The Federal authorities seem to have realized their danger. 
President Lincoln's despatches teem w^ith allusions to the sus- 
pected designs of the Confederate commander. On the 17th of 
May, when, having defeated Milroy, Jackson commenced his 
march upon Harrisonburg, Lincoln writes to General McClellan : 

" In order, therefore, to increase the strength of the attack 
upon Richmond, at the earliest moment. General McDowell has 
been ordered to march upon that city by the shortest route. 
He is ordered — keeping himself alivays in a position to cover the 
Capital from all possible attach — so to operate as to put his left 
wing in communication with your right. * * * * 
The specific task assigned to his command, has been to provide 
against any danger to the Capital of the nation. At your earliest 
call for reenforcements he is sent forward to cooperate in the re- 
duction of Richmond, hut charged, in attempting this, not to un- 
cover the City of Washington ; and you will give no orders, either 
before or after your junction, which can put him out of position 
to cover this city." 

On the 21st of May, Lincoln writes to McDowell, at Fred- 
ericksburg : 

'"■ General Fremont has been ordered by telegraph to move 
from Frankhn on Harrisonburg, to relieve General Banks, and 
capture or destroy Jackson's or Ewell's forces. You are instruct- 
ed, laying aside for the present the movement on Eichmond, to put 



JACKSON FLAI^KS HIS ADVEESAEY. 139 

twenty tliousand men in motion at once for the Shenandoah, 
moving on the line or in the advance of the Manassas Gap 
Railroad. Your object will be to capture the forces of Jackson 
and Ewell, either in cooperation with General Fremont, or in case 
a want of supplies or transportation interferes with his move- 
ment, it is believed that the force with which you move wiU be 
sufficient to accompKsh the object alone. The information thus 
received here makes it probable that, if the enemy operate 
actively against Banks, you will not be able to count upon much 
assistance from him, but may even have to release him. Re- 
ports received this moment are that Banks is fighting with EweU 
eight miles from Winchester." 

General McDowell replies, on May 24th : 

"The President's order has been received — is in process of 
execution. This is a crushing blow to us." He adds, on the 
same day : " I beg to say that cooperation between Fremont 
and myself, to cut off Jackson or Ewell, is not to be counted 
upon, even if it is not a practical impossibility. Next, that I 
am entirely beyond helping distance of General Banks, and no 
celerity or vigor will avail, so far as he is concerned. Next, 
that by a glance at the map, it will be seen that the line of re- 
treat of the enemy's forces up the valley is shorter than mine 
to go against him. It will take a week or ten days for my force 
to go to the valley by this route, which will give it good forage, 
and by that time the enemy will have retreated. 1 shall gain 
nothing for you there, and shall gain much for you here. It is, 
therefore, not only on personal grounds that I have a heavy 
heart in the matter, but that I feel it throws us aU back, and 
from Richmond, north, we shall have all our large masses 
paralyzed, and shall have to repeat what Ave have just accom- 
plished. I have ordered General Shields to commence a move- 
ment by to-morrow morning. A second division will foUow in 
the afternoon." 

Such was the position of the pieces on the great chessboard 
of war toward the end of May. General McClellan threatening 
General Johnston at Richmond, but incessantly calling for reen- 



140 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

forcements, without wliich he declared himself unable to move 
forward ; President Lincoln in Washington, telegraphing General 
McDowell at Fredericksburg to stop his advance toward Rich- 
mond, and send 20,000 men to the valley, to protect the Federal 
capital by destroying the command of Jackson ; General McDow- 
ell replying that to " cut of Jackson is a practical impossibility : " 
the Federal campaign embarrassed and everywhere halting in con- 
sequence of Jackson's daring and aggressive movements. The 
complicated movements of Generals McClellan, Banks, McDow- 
ell, Shields, Milroy, and Fremont were enough to puzzle the 
brain of the most thorough master of the art of war. 

They do not seem to have disquieted or embarrassed Jackson, 
who saw his work plain before his eyes — ^to divert reenforce- 
ments from McClellan ; and he advanced to the accomplishment 
of this object with the accuracy of a machine set in motion. 

About the 20th of May he had arrived at Newmarket, where a 
junction was formed between his own troops and those of Ewell, 
who had marched from Elk Run Valley to meet him ; and from this 
point his campaign against General Banks commenced. The Fed- 
eral commander had reached Strasburg, and was fortifying there. 
To assail him in front would be just what he expected, and the spe- 
cies of attack against which he had provided ; so to assault him 
on his flank, where he did not expect it, was the obvious policy of 
Jackson. A glance at the map of Virginia will be necessary to 
the right appreciation of the forward and retrograde movements 
of the Confederate forces, which were now to make the region fa- 
mous. The village of Newmarket is situated on the valley turn- 
pike in the county of Shenandoah, nearly forty miles from Stras- 
burg. From this latter place to a point somewhat higher up 
than Newmarket runs the ^Massinutton Mountain, parallel to the 
Blue Ridge, Avhich is separated from it by a narrow valley 
through which flows the south branch of the Shenandoah. 
Travelling north from Harrisonburg, and turning to the right at 
Newmarket, you pass the Massinulton at Newmarket Gap, 
reach Luray, in Page County, and thence approach Front Royal 
by a road along the narrow valley in question. Once arrived 



JACKSON FLANKS HIS ADVERSAET. 141 

at the town of Front Royal, you have reached the northern 
terminus of the Massinutton Mountain, and are directly on the 
flank of Strasburg. 

Leaving a small force of cavalry to hold the turnpike and 
conceal the movement of the main body, Jackson directed that 
every thing, even the knapsacks of the men, should be left behind, 
and set out by the route above indicated — his force amounting to 
18,000 or 20,000 men. On the night of the 22d, his advance, under 
. Ewell, bivouacked within ten miles of Front Royal. With such 
secrecy and celerity had the march upon Front Royal been 
made, that the army was nearly in sight of that place before a 
single inhabitant of the region suspected its presence. At dawn 
on the morning of Friday the 23d, Jackson resumed his rapid 
march, and, diverging to the right by a steep and rough by- 
path so as to strike across into the Gooney Manor road, came 
in view of the town about two in the afternoon. At this point — 
not more than a mile and a half from the place — he encountered 
the enemy's pickets, and drove them in ; when an instant advance 
was ordered upon the town. The troops responded with cheers, 
and the 1st Maryland, under Colonel Johnson, rushed forward 
and encountered their namesakes, the 1st (Federal) Maryland, 
Colonel Kenley, whom they saluted with a volley and then 
charged impetuously, forcing them to fall back in confusion. 

The cavahy, sweeping down at the moment when they broke, 
took a large number of prisoners ; and Taylor's brigade, the re- 
serve of the advance force, coming rapidly up, the rout of the 
Federal forces was complete, and the town was in the possession 
of the Confederates. The attack had taken the Federal forces 
completely by surprise. " When our guns opened on the enemy, 
they had no idea who was hammering at them," says a contem- 
porary letter. " Thinking that Jackson was a hundred miles 
away from them, they were completely surprised and panic- 
stricken by the suddenness of the attack ; they surrendered to us 
by hundreds, allowing all their stores of every sort, and in the 
greatest quantities, to be captured, without an effort to defend 
or destroy them." Among the stores thus captured were about 



142 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

five hundred excellent revolvers ; and a soldier expresses the 
joy which all felt at finding a wagon load of coflTee, which was a 
" perfect God-send," as their rations of that article had been 
stopped for some days. The appearance of the Confederates 
was joyfully hailed by the inhabitants. Men, women, and chil- 
dren ran through the streets, laughing and cheering. Every 
house was thrown open, and every window waved with hand- 
kerchiefs. But the men were not permitted to stop and accept 
the hospitalities of the inhabitants. They were rushed through 
the town at a double-quick, and a strong force thrown forward 
toward a commanding height on the right of the turnpike, where 
the Federal forces had taken position with the apparent intention 
of resisting the Confederate advance. As the latter approached 
they were met by a fire of rifled artillery ; but Colonel Crutchfield, 
Jackson's chief of artillery, placed some pieces in position ; the 
6th Louisiana was moved through the woods to flank their bat- 
tery, and Wheat's Battalion and the 1st Maryland regiment 
drove in their skirmishers in front. Thus threatened on their 
flank and pressed down the turnpike, the Federal force retreated 
across both forks of the Shenandoah, closely followed by the 
Confederates. They attempted to burn the bridge over the 
north fork of the river, but before they could do so the Confed- 
erates arrived. The flames were extinguished, and, pushing 
after the Federal forces at full speed, the Confederates poured 
into them a hot fire of musketry and artillery. 

During this scene the Confederate cavalry had moved to in- 
tercept the enemy's retreat. A force under Ashby and Floumoy 
had, before the assault on the town, crossed the south branch of 
tlie Shenandoah above Front Royal, and struck across toward 
the northern shoulder of the Massinutton, to get between this 
body of the enemy and their main force at Strasburg. Their 
orders were to destroy the railroad and telegraph line between 
the two places, so that Jackson's movement on his flank might 
be concealed from General Banks as long as possible, and to guard 
against the advance of rcenforcements from Strasburg, or the 
retreat of the enemy from Front Royal. Having executed his 



JACKSON FLANKS HIS ADVEESAKT. 143 

orders, Colonel Floumoy pushed back to tlie bridge over tbe north 
fork above mentioned ; but finding some difficulty in passing it 
from the partial destruction of the framework by fire, he has- 
tened on with four companies of the 6lh Virginia cavalry, and 
came up with a body of Federal troops near Cedarville, five 
miles from Front Royal. This force consisted of two companies 
of cavalry, two pieces of artillery, two companies of Pennsyl- 
vania infantry, and the 1st (Federal) Maryland regiment, 
which had been rallied and posted there to check Jackson's 
advance. A charge was at once made on them by the four com- 
panies of Confederate cavalry, Captain Grimsby leading the 
advance, and the whole force was driven from the position which 
it held. They re-formed in an orchard on the right of the road, 
but a second charge threw them into confusion, and the whole 
force surrendered. Ashby was meanwhile scouting along the 
base of the Massinutton, and clearing out the country as he 
swept it with his cavalry. At Buckton he came upon a body of 
the enemy, posted as a guard at that point, in a strong position, 
and protected by the embankment of the railroad. Ashby 
charged and dispersed them, gaining possession of the place and 
capturing a train of cars ; but this insignificant skirmish lost 
him some of his best officers, among them Captains Sheets and 
Fletcher. Captain Sheets was an officer of conspicuous gal- 
lantry, greatly esteemed by Jackson and beloved by. the army. 
At Kernstown he had seen a Confederate lieutenant retreating 
alone, and hotly pressed by the enemy. So great was the exhaus- 
tion of the officer, that, coming to a fence, he climbed it with 
difficulty, and rolled over upon the ground. It was at this mo- 
ment that Captain Sheets reached the spot ; and though he had 
with him only a small detachment of men, while the force of 
the enemy's infantry was very considerable, he violently ex- 
claimed, " I will never see a Southerner captured before my 
eyes," and charged them, rescuing the officer. He had been 
highly valued by Ashby, to whom he is declared to have been 
" only second in fame and efficiency ; " and here he fell, shot 
through the head. 



144 LITE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

As night came on, both the cavaky and infantry ceased from 
further pursuit, and the weary troops went into camp. The 
first day had thus been decidedly successful. A section of 
rifled artillery, 700 prisoners, among them 20 officers, and large 
quantities of public stores, had been the result of the opening of 
the campaign. But the advantages secured did not stop here. 
Jackson had turned General Banks' position at the town of Stras- 
burg, and the road was now open for him to press straight for- 
ward upon Winchester. Whe^ he had once struck the line of 
the valley turnpike he would be completely in rear of the Federal 
commander, and able to intercept his retreat. 



CHAPTER X. 

GENERAL BANKS RETREATS. 

On the next morning. May 24th, the troops were moving at 
daylight, and Jackson hastened forward to the accomplishment 
of his designs, which nothing but the exhaustion of the men had 
prevented him from pursuing during the night. 

The time thus lost, as will be seen, was precious ; but the 
delay could not be avoided. The men had marched from above 
Luray, a distance of nearly thirty miles, under a burning sun, 
and many had fallen out of the column overcome by heat and 
weariness. These it was necessary to collect before advancing 
further, and the march was delayed until morning. At the first 
dawn, the column was again in motion. General George II. Stcu- 
art, in temporary command of the 2d and 6th Virginia cavalry 
regiments, was sent northward to Newtown, about nine miles 
from Winchester. Ewell, with Trimble's brigade, the 1st 
Maryland regiment and Courtney's and Brockenbrough's bat- 
teries, was directed to move on the main Front Eoyal turnpike 
toward Winchester ; and Jackson proceeded, in personal com- 
mand of the main body of the army, in the direction of Middle- 



GENEEAL BANKS EETKEATS. 145 

town, with a detachment of Ashby's cavalry moving on his left 
flank and keeping a close look-out for any attempt of the enemy 
to retreat toward Front Royal. 

On coming in sight of Middletown, Jackson saw the turn- 
pike from Strasburg to Winchester black with long columns of 
Federal cavalry iu rapid retreat. No time was lost in bringing 
up the artillery. The guns of Poague and Chew were rushed 
into position, supported by Taylor's infantry, and a hot fire was 
opened on the retreating column, which at once threw them 
into confusion. A few additional rounds finished the work. The 
cavalry broke in wild disorder, scattered over the adjoining 
fields, and disappeared like phantoms in the woods. " The 
turnpike," says Jackson in his report, " which had just before 
teemed with life, presented a most appalling spectacle of carnage 
and destruction. The road was literally obstructed with the 
mangled and confused mass of struggling and dying horses and 
riders." About 200 prisoners were captured, but the great body 
of the Federal cavahy made good their retreat. 

The column had been followed by a park of artillery and 
about three regiments of infantry. The former now opened a 
vapid fire on the Confederates, and tried to force a passage 
through. But the guns were effectually cut off. The Confed- 
erate batteries engaged them, and Taylor's infantry at the same 
moment advanced, when the Northern artillery and infantry 
retreated rapidly upon Strasburg. There the infantry aban- 
doned their knapsacks and other accoutrements, and, with the 
artillery, retired precipitately through the western mountains to 
the Potomac. 

It was now obvious that General Banks had already passed 
Middletown with his main body in the direction of Winchester, 
and the infantry which had been halted was pushed forward 
rapidly in pursuit. Ashby had already followed, with cavalry, 
artillery, and a supporting force of infantry, a long train of 
wagons which was seen disappearing in the distance. The 
scene which followed is said to have been indescribable. The 
whole road was strewed with broken-down wagons, guns, knap- 
10 



146 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

sacks, oil-cloths, cartridge boxes, haversacks, swords, armb, 
clothes, and accoutrements of every description. " The rush of 
the retreat," says a writer at the time, " is represented to have 
been more ridiculously terrible than that at Manassas." Ashby 
had come up with the trains and the rear of the retreating Fed- 
erals, and his batteries were firing upon them all along the 
turnpike. A shell or round shot would strike one of the wagons 
and overturn it, and before those behind could stop their head- 
way, they would thunder down on the ruins of the first ; others 
would tumble in, so as to block up the road completely ; and 
in among the disorganized cavalry and infantry escorting the 
trains, trampled the horsemen of Ashby, taking prisoners or 
cutting down such as resisted. There was no discipline or order 
in the retreat, and few officers were visible. General Banks had 
retired to Winchester, whence he took the cars for Harper's 
Ferry. He is said to have been overwhelmed with chagrin at 
his misadventure, and even to have shed tears, declaring that 
" he had been sacrificed by his Government." 

Ashb/s pursuit was hot, and a remarkable proof of the 
demoralization of the Federal troops is given by a well-accredited 
incident of the retreat. " In the ardor of pursuit," writes a 
gentleman of character and veracity, " Ashby had separated 
himself from his men, and had gotten abreast of the Yankee col- 
umn of cavalry which Avas rushing down the turnpike. Alone, 
he charged 500 of them, dashed through their line, firing his 
pistols right and left as he did so ; then wheeling about, he 
again charged through them, and summoned them to surrender. 
All who heard his voice obeyed, threw down their arms, and 
dismounted, until some of the men came up and took charge of 
them. In one instance he took thirty in this way." Ashby 
cauglit a guidon from the hands of its bearer on this occasion, 
and this was afterwards suspended in the Virginia Capitol. 
The incident above given is not necessarily impossible, nor even 
improbable. Troops retreating in disorder become entirely dis- 
heartened, and lose the character of soldiers, despair inducing 
them to sun-cuder without resistance. 



GENEEAL BANKS KETKEATS. 147 

The cavalrymen of Ashby's commaacl did not imitate his 
example in looking first to the defeat of the enemy. Their mis- 
conduct nearly prevented Jackson from securing the fruits of all 
his marching and fighting. Up to this time all opposition had 
been borne down, and there was every reason to believe that, if 
General Banks ever reached Winchester, it would be without a 
train, if not without an army. The cavalry and infantry under 
Ashby now disappointed all these hopes, and, in spite of every 
exertion on the part of their commander, betook themselves to 
pillaging the Federal wagons. In vain did Ashby attempt to 
rally them to the serious work before them, and push on after 
the Federal column, now retreating in greater disorder than be- 
fore. His orders were not heard, or disobeyed. The ranks of 
the pursuers were scattered, in hot pursuit, not of the enemy, 
but of plunder. The choice contents of the wagons were too 
much for their equanimity, and, forgetting their duty as soldiers, 
they became thoroughly disorganized, and gave themselves up 
to indiscriminate pillage. 

The consequences of this gross neglect of duty were soon 
seen : the enemy, who should have been persistently followed, 
took advantage of the respite, and turned savagely upon Jack- 
son's artillery, which had pushed on ahead, and was now near 
Newtown, without any species of support. They brought up four 
pieces of artillery, and planted them in the outskirts of the 
town, opening a furious fire upon the Confederate batteries. 
Jackson hastened to the front, and when he arrived at Newtown, 
found Poague with two guns engaged in a hot combat with the 
Federal artillery, which continued to check his further advance 
until dark. 

This conduct of his advance force profoundly enraged Jack- 
son, and many hot words grew out of it afterwards. He was 
much displeased with Ashby, whose fault as a soldier was too 
great a relaxation of the reins of discipline in his command ; and 
as that oflicer felt that he had made every exertion to correct 
the evil, he resented this imputation on the part of his command, 
and for a time there was a marked coldness between himself 



148 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

and Jackson. Proud and sensitive to any reflection upon him- 
self Of his troops, Ashby held himself aloof from Jackson, like 
Achilles in his tent ; and the stern Agamemnon, knowing that he 
had done right, made no overtures for a renewal of amicable re- 
lations. But this did not last, the cloud soon passed away, and 
when Ashby fell, Jackson wrote a noble epitaph for the fallen 
soldier, which would be sufficient, if nothing else remained, to 
hand down his name to posterity. 

At nightfall, the Federal artillery, which had held the Con- 
federate advance in check at Newtown, retired from the field ; 
and Jackson determined to push on after General Banks to Win- 
chester. The troops accordingly passed through Newtown, 

and continued their march the way " illumined by burning 

wagons, pontoon boats, and other stores." The scene in the 
little village of Newtown was inspiring, and communicated a 
new impulse to the troops. " It beggared description," writes 
an officer who witnessed it. " Every house was illuminated by 
the inhabitants, women and even men weeping for joy, and 
cheering us till they were hoarse. They seemed ready to em- 
brace every soldier ; and so it was all along the road, bringing 
to them and forcing on the half-starved fellows, as they swept by 
in pui-suit of the enemy, pies, bread, pickles, meat, and every 
thing they could raise." The inhabitants were indeed crazy 
with joy at the sight of the gray uniforms of their own people. 

Beyond Newtown, the spectacle along the roads was even 
more striking than that presented near Middletown. Himdreds 
of abandoned, overturned, or burning wagons, filled with stores 
of every description, were encountered by the troops, and excited 
their longing as they pressed rapidly on. But no benefit could 
be derived from these spoils of the enemy, as the delay produced 
by the pillage had made it necessary to push on, and stop for 
nothing. 

At various stages of their march throughout the long night, 
the Federal forces made vain attempts to check their further 
progress. Soon after leaving Newtown, the advance was fired 
on by a concealed force, but the 33d Virginia, Colonel Neff', 



WINCHESTEE. 149 

soon dispersed them. Near the old battle-ground of Kernstown, 
a more serious attempt was made to check Jackson's advance. 
As the troops approached that point, a sudden fire on their right, 
left, and front at the same moment, revealed an ambuscade of 
importance ; and three regiments of the Stonewall Brigade were 
thrown forward to engage the enemy. They attacked with 
great gallantry, and heavy firing continued for some time, but 
the enemy, growing disheartened, finally retired, and the army 
resumed its march. The Federal forces continued to ambuscade 
thus from point to point during the remainder of the night, but 
were regularly repulsed by the force in advance, and the army 
now drew near Winchester. The main body was halted for 
0,bout an hour to rest, but the advance force still pressed on, 
Jackson's design being to occupy the heights commanding the 
town, before daylight warned the enemy of his presence. 

As he advanced, about dawn, toward the coveted position, 
he received the welcome announcement that Ewell, pushing on 
from Newtown, had reached, early in the night, a position about 
three miles from the town, on his right, and had thrown forward 
pickets a mile in advance. 

The plans of the Confederate commander were thus fairly in 
progress of fulfilment, and he instantly made his dispositions to 
attack the enemy. 



CHAPTER XI. 

WINCHESTER. 



Jackson's advance force approached the lofty hill, on the 
southwestern side of Winchester, soon after daylight, on the 
morning of the 25th of May. 

This position was occupied by the Federal skirmishers in 
force, and General Winder was directed to take the Stonewall 
Brigade, and seize upon the heights as soon as possible. This 
was promptly done. The 5th Virginia was thrown forward in 



150 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

advance as skirmishers, and the remainder of the brigade hav- 
ing been drawn up in line of battle, a sudden rush was made for 
the hill. The enemy made a sharp and resolute resistance, 
firing heavy volleys as the Confederates charged toward their 
position, but the spirit of the Federal troops no longer responded 
to the call. They recoiled before the Confederate fire, retreated 
from theu- position, and the Southern troops, uttering loud 
cheers, gained the crest and were in possession of the hill. 

Prompt measures were taken to improve this advantage, and 
open the attack with an energy which should give the Federal 
forces no time to prepare. They had hastily opened with a bat- 
tery directly in fi-ont, and to dislodge these guns Carpenter's and 
Cutshaw's batteries, with two Parrott guns from the Rockbridge 
artillery, were rapidly placed in position and opened fire. 

The battle speedily commenced in good eai-nest. It was ab- 
solutely necessary, if the Federal forces expected to hold the 
town of Winchester, that the Confederates should be dislodged 
from their commanding position ; and a body of Federal sharp- 
shooters was promptly thro^mi forward to feel Jackson's left, 
and drive him, if possible, from the hill. At the same moment 
another Federal battery began to thunder on the left, and a dan- 
gerous enfilade fire was poured on the Southern lines. 

This advance of infantry, and the fire of the new battery, 
was promptly responded to by Jackson. The battery in his 
front had been reduced to silence, and his guns were now turned 
on the enemy's sharpshooters, who hastily retreated behind a 
heavy stone fence, which protected them. From this excellent 
position they opened a galling and destructive fire on the can- 
noneers and horses attached to the Confederate batteries, which 
were now engaged hotly on the left. The combined fire of their 
sharpshooters and artillery was so heavy that Captain Poague, 
who was most exposed to the enemy, was compelled to change 
position, in the midst of a storm of balls. He rapidly withdrew 
his guns ; moved to the left and rear, and again taking position, 
poured a determined fii'e upon the enfilading batteries of the en- 
emy. The Federal sharpshooters continued to fire from their 




Enja ly IT B TT.TI .Ti- 



WINCHESTER. 151 

position behind tlie stone wall mentioned, with a precision which 
was galling and dangerous in the extreme. No one could mount 
to the crest of the hill without hearing the sudden report of 
their excellent long-range guns, succeeded by the whistling of 
balls near his person. Colonel Campbell, commanding the 2d 
brigade of Jackson's division, went up to the summit to recon- 
noitre, and was giving some directions to Colonel Patton, the 
senior officer under him, when a ball pierced his arm and breast, 
and he was borne from the field, surrendering the command of 
the brigade to Colonel Patton. To drive out these persistent 
and accurate marksmen. Captain Poague threw several solid 
shot at the wall which protected them ; but in spite of the mis- 
siles and crashing stones around them, the line of sharpshooters 
still gallantly held their position. 

While this hot fire was going on, the Federal commander 
was making his preparations to assail Jackson's position in force. 
All was ready at last, and suddenly the Federal infantry was 
seen moving in heavy columns to the left, with the evident in- 
tention of gaining possession of the ridge to the north and west 
of the town. 

Meanwhile Ewell had not been idle. As soon as Jackson's 
guns were heard upon the left, he rapidly advanced toward the 
southeastern side of the town, and became engaged with the 
enemy, who were posted on the hills, and in the farm-houses 
which here dot the rolling landscape. The 21st North Carolina 
and 21st Georgia attacked and drove back the advance force of 
the enemy, and Ewell pushed forward rapidly ; but here, as on 
the left, one of those obstinate stone walls, which appears so 
often in the narratives of battles taking place in the Valley re- 
gion, opposed its bristling front to his further progress. The 
Federal sharpshooters lined it, and, resting their guns on the top, 
poured into the ranks of the 21st North Carolina, which was in 
advance, so destructive a fire that this regiment was forced to 
fall back with heavy loss. This success was, however, brief. 
Taking the place of the repulsed regiment, the 21st Georgia 
made a determined charge ; the enemy were driven from their 



152 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

cover ; and the main body of Ewell's forces, which had been 
arrested by this obstacle, swept forward amid the thunder of 
artillery to the assault. 

On the left of Jackson's immediate position a similar ad- 
vance was made, as we have seen, at the moment when his lines 
were pushed forward on the right. To defeat the enemy's at- 
tempt to gain possession of the hill west of the town, Jackson or- 
dered General Taylor to advance with his brigade — move in rear 
of the Stonewall Brigade — and making a circuit far round to 
the left, ascend the northern hill, and thus confront the enemy's 
line as it appeared. The movement was promptly made, and 
the foot of the hill reached in the midst of a heavy fire of mus- 
ketry and artillery, which the Federal batteries abeady men- 
tioned, and the sharpshooters behind the stone wall, poured into 
the Confederate ranks, as they took position. No attention was 
paid to this fire by Taylor. He formed his line of battle, with 
'the 10th Virginia on his left, and the 23d on his right, and im- 
mediately gave the order for the troops to advance rapidly and 
gain possession of the hill. The men responded with cheers, and 
moved forward steadily up the slope, reaching the summit without 
resistance, and confronting the columns drawn up to receive them. 

The Federal forces were thus caught in the grasp of Jack- 
son, pressing upon both their flanks. The great leader " had 
his war-look on," declares a soldier, " and rode about the battle- 
field regardless of shot and shell, looking as if nothing was 
going on." The moment was enough to rouse him, and send a 
thrill through the pulses of any but a man of iron. Ewell was 
driving them on the right, and doing great execution with his 
musketry and artillery, whose traces may yet be seen on the 
houses and fences ; and now Taylor was ready to fall on their 
main body on the left. The attack was not delayed. Jackson's 
lines swept down the hill, and across the intervening field, and 
came into collision with the enemy. The volleys of musketry 
were succeeded by the thunder of triumphant cheers rising above 
the roar of the artillery ; and driving the Federal line before 
them, Taylor's men, reenforced by the Stonewall Brigade, burst 



WINCHESTER. 153 

suddenly like a torrent into the town. At the same moment 
Ewell closed in on the right. General Elzey, who had been in 
reserve on the turnpike, advanced in front ; and the whole Fed- 
eral army gave way in disorder, and rapidly retreated. 

The scene which ensued in the streets of Winchester is al- 
most beyond the power of words. Men, women, and children 
thronged in crowds from the houses, and uttered cries of wild 
joy at the sight of the gray uniforms. The women were before 
the men in this ovation. All personal danger was lost sight of 
in their excitement. As the Federal forces rushed tumultuously 
through the town, the ladies swarmed into the streets, and paid 
no attention to the shell and musket-balls bursting and whistling 
around them. They hastened to every Southern soldier who 
had been wounded and needed their services ; and a gentleman 
of the highest veracity declares that guards had to advance and 
clear the way for the platoons to deliver their fire on the enemy. 
Winchester was indeed wild with delight. Confederate flags 
and white handkerchiefs waved from every window ; bright 
smiles saluted the troops on every side ; and men, women, and 
children were heard shouting " Thank God, we are free ! Thank 
God, we are free once more ! " The whole town was one great 
scene of uproar and rejoicing — of mingled gray coats and blue — 
of old men and children — and the flitting forms of girls, boldly 
penetrating the crowd to administer to the wants of the wounded. 

Jackson for the first time in his military career seemed mas- 
tered by excitement. He caught his faded cap from his head, 
and waving it in the air, cheered for the first and last time on 
record. His afiection for the people of Winchester was so great, 
and his soldier pride so profoundly gratified at this triumphant 
return to a place from which he had been compelled to retreat, 
that he lost control of himself. The shouts of the men, the 
sobs and exclamations of the women, and the shrill cries of the 
children, mingled in one chorus of welcome ; but they did not 
divert his attention from the work before him. The troops were 
pushed forward without a moment's pause, and Jackson rode far 
in advance of the column, in dangerous proximity to the enemy. 



154 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

Qne of his officers said, " Don't you think you are exposing 
yourself to danger, General?" But his reply was, "Tell the 
troops to press right on to the Potomac ! " 

The Federal forces were followed persistently by the infan- 
try, and the artillery kept up its fire ; but they were not pressed 
with cavalry, owing to the absence of Ashby's men, and the sin- 
gular impression of General George H. Steuart that he was under 
Ewell and not Jackson. The pursuit was thus stopped for the 
moment by the exhaustion of the infantry, who halted five miles 
from the town ; but Steuart coming up about an hour afterward, 
and forming at Bunker HiU a junction with Ashby, who had 
swept round to the left, the Federal forces were followed hotly 
through Martinsburg, and driven across the Potomac, with the 
loss of many prisoners, and the capture of immense stores. 

" It is seldom," says General Banks, in his report, " that a 
river crossing of such magnitude is achieved with greater suc- 
cess, and there never were more grateful hearts in the same 
number of men than when, at mid-day of the 26th, we stood on 
the opposite shore. My command had not suffered an attack 
and rout. It had accomplished a premeditated march of nearly 
sixty miles in the face of the enemy, defeating his plans, and 
giving him battle wherever he was found." 

It seemed thus that both the Federal and Confederate com- 
manders were well pleased with the result, and congi-atulated 
themselves upon the issue of the campaign. 



CHAPTER XII. 



THE LION IN THE TOILS. 



Jackson had thus driven his opponent before him, and re- 
gained possession of Winchester ; but the Federal garrisons at 
Charlestown and Harper's Ferry remained, and to these his 
attention was now directed. 

The troops, however, absolutely required rest. They had 



THE LION IN THE TOILS. 155 

made an exhausting march. From the camp above Luray to 
the point where the pursuit had stopped was about sixty miles, 
and this distance the men had passed over in three days, fighting 
two battles on the way. This was enough to break down their 
strength, and it was necessary to give them a re sting-spell. On 
the following day, accordingly, religious services were held 
throughout the army, and thanks returned for the recent suc- 
cesses of the Southern arms. The men then rested for that 
day and the next. The army was then thoroughly refreshed and 
ready for new movements, which commenced immediately. 

On the morning of the 28th of May, the Stonewall Brigade 
and the batteries of Poague and Carpenter, the Avhole under 
General Winder, left their camps near Winchester, and pro- 
ceeded, by way of Summit Point, toward Charlestown. When 
they had reached a point about four miles from the town, intelli- 
gence was received that the enemy occupied that place in force, 
and intended to dispute theu' further advance. This information 
was promptly conveyed to Jackson, who immediately sent 
Ewell's division to cooperate in the movement. But Winder 
did not wait for reenforcements. He steadily advanced in the 
direction of the town, and, emerging from the woods within a 
mile of the place, saw the Federal forces in line of battle imme- 
diately in his front, and apparently about fifteen hundred in 
number. 

He decided to attack them, and at once advanced, when, as 
he made his appearance, they opened upon him with two pieces 
of artillery. Carpenter's battery was placed in position, sup- 
ported by the 33d Virginia, and returned the fire with such vigor 
that, in twenty minutes, the Federal forces retired in disorder, 
throwing away their arms, blankets, haversacks, and accoutre- 
ments. Winder followed them into the town, and here a scene 
took place similar to that which had occurred at Winchester. 
The ladies crowded the streets, waving their handkerchiefs, 
and exhibiting a " wild joy," says a letter of the time, at sight 
of their friends. The 2d Virginia was formed almost entirely 
of volunteers from Jefferson, Frederick, Clarke, and Berkeley ; 



150 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON 

and they had not seen their families for nearly a year. But they 
were not suffered to stop, even to shake hands. "Winder fol- 
lowed the retreating enemy to the little hamlet of Hall town, 
firing iulo their rear both with musketry and artillery, and then, 
finding that they were posted in force upon Bolivar Heights, in 
front of Harper's Ferry, returLed to the vicinity of Charlestown. 

On the following day, Jackson arrived with the main body 
of the army, and preparations were made to attack and dislodge 
the Federal forces. His troops were in the neighborhood of 
Halltown, and the 2d Virginia had been sent across to Loudoun 
Heights, on the east side of the town, when intelligence reached 
him that Federal columns were closing in upon his rear. Shields 
was moving from Fredericksburg on his right, and Fremont from 
the south branch of the Potomac on his left, with the design of 
concentrating a heavy force at Strasburg and cutting off his re- 
treat up the Valley. 

It wiU be remembered that President Lincoln, on the 21st of 
May, had directed General McDowell, then commanding at 
Fredericksburg, to " put 20,000 men in motion" to capture or 
destroy Jackson and EweU, and relieve General Banks. These 
forces were to move on the line of the Manassas Gap Railroad ; 
and the march took place as directed. The letter of a Northern 
correspondent gives an entertaining account of the expedition, 
and we make the following brief extract, in which the writer 
amuses himself at the expense of General Banks : 

" Word was flashed over the wires from Washington that 
the Philistines were fipon the Congressional Samsons, and we 
were summoned to the rescue. The order from the "War De- 
partment, to send 20,000 or 30,000 men to assist Banks and 
defend "Washington, put an entirely new face on matters, and 
knocked the plans which a month and more of time and millions 
of money had been spent in maturing into that peculiarly chaotic, 
formless, and void shape popularly known and described as a 
cocked hat. As McCleUan before had been served, so now was 
McDowell. 

" At Markham Station, besides rheumatic pains, I encoun- 



THE LION IN THE TOILS. 157 

tered Colonel Ashby's house, a deserted whitewaslied tenement, 
with battered walls and crumbling staircases, and smelling 
strongly of secession and old cheese. At Front Royal we found 
Major-General McDowell and several minor Generals. They 
were all determined upon one thing — that thing to bag Jackson, 
and recapture the immense train he took from Banks — for you 
must know that Banks lost over two millions of dollars in 
property, and, it is said, several thousand prisoners. "Well, 
then, it had been determined to retake all these national gods 
and goods. 

" A word about Blenker's division. With all respect to 
General Blenker himself, whom I highly esteem as a German 
and a gentleman, it comprises as lawless a set as ever pillaged 
hen-roosts or robbed dairy-maids of milk and butter. I saw a 
company of them gutting the cellar of a house, carrying off every 
thing eatable and drinkable, and only replying to the earnest re- 
monstrance of the proprietary widow, and the representation that 
she had seven children to feed, with a guttural ' Nix fur stay' 
And two infantry captains bathed their yellow beards in the 
golden cream, and were aiders and abettors, in fact, the over- 
seers and directors of the larceny, not to say brutality." 

This force was now moving from the east, and General Fre- 
mont was approaching from the west, to meet them in the neigh- 
borhood of Strasburg. The only force which Jackson had near 
that point to meet them was a single regiment and two pieces of 
artillery, under Colonel Connor, at Front Royal ; and with this 
small body overwhelmed, he would be completely cut off, and 
forced to surrender or fight his way through. 

It was necessary to act promptly in this emergency. The 
whole effective force of Jackson was at this time 15,000 men, 
and the body about to attack him from the direction of Fred- 
ericksburg was probably larger than his whole army. If Gen- 
eral Fremont formed a junction with it, the odds would be over- 
powering ; and to reascend the Valley before his enemies combined 
Avas the obvious policy of the Confederate commander. He is- 
sued orders for that movement at once. All the troops, but the 



158 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

Stonewall Brigade and the cavalry, were directed to return to 
Winchester ; and these also, as soon as the 2d Virginia had 
returned from Loudoun Heights, were to rejoin the main body 
at that place. 

Having made these arrangements, Jackson set out in person 
for Winchester, travelling by a special train on the Winchester 
and Potomac Eailroad. A gentleman who was with him relates 
a scene that ensued during the brief journey. At one of the 
wayside stations, a courier was seen galloping down from the 
direction of Winchester, and Jackson clutched at the despatch 
which he brought. 

"What news?" he asked, briefly. 

" Colonel Connor is cut off and captured at Front Royal, 
General." 

" Good ! " was the quick reply ; " what more ? " 

" Shields is there, with four thousand men." 

" Good — very good ! " 

As he spoke his lips were firmly compressed, his face grew 
rigid, and his eyes fixed themselves apparently upon some dis- 
tant object. Then this preoccupation suddenly disappeared ; he 
read the despatch which he held in his hand, tore it in pieces, 
and dropped it, after his accustomed fashion, and, leaning for- 
ward, rested his forehead on his hands, and immediately fell 
asleep. He soon roused himself, and, turning to the gentleman 
who furnishes these particulai'S, said : 

" I am going to send you to Richmond for reenforcements. 
Banks has halted at Williamsport, and is being reeuforced from 
Pennsylvania. Dix, you see, is in my front, and is being reen- 
forced by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. I have just received 
a despatch informing me of the advance of the enemy upon 
Front Royal, which is captured, and Fremont is now advancing 
toward Wardcnsville. Thus, you see, I am nearly surrounded 
by a very large force. 

" What is your own. General?" asked his friend. 

" I will tell you, but you must not repeat what I say, except at 
Richmond. To meet this attack, I have only 15,000 effective men." 



THE LION IN THE TOILS. 159 

" What will you do if they cut you off, General ? " 
Jackson hesitated for a moment, and then coolly replied : 
" I will fall back upon Maryland for reenforcements." 
Jackson was in earnest. If his retreat was cut off, he iu- 
tended to advance into Maryland, and doubtless make his way 
straight to Baltimore and Washington, depending on the South- 
ern sentiment in that portion of the State to bring him reenforce- 
ments. The design was characteristic of his military genius, 
and its bold air of invasion probably surrounded it with charms 
to the leader, who never lost sight of that policy. That the 
Federal Government was apprehensive of some such movement 
is certain. The wildest rumors were everywhere prevalent in 
that country. It was said that Jackson had defeated all his op- 
ponents, had crossed the Potomac with an enormous army, and 
was then advancing on Washington. Terror reigned in the 
North. Men wore anxious faces, and, it is said, were asking 
constantly, " Where is Jackson ? " " Has he taken Washington ? " 
The best proof, however, that the movement was really antici- 
pated, was the despatch of the Federal Secretary of War to the 
Governor of Massachusetts : " Send all the troops forward that 
you can, immediately. Banks completely routed. Intelligence 
from various quarters leaves no doubt that the enemy, in great 
force, are advancing on Washington. You will please organize 
and forward immediately all the volunteer and militia force in 
your State." There is reason to believe that similar messages 
were sent to all the Northern States, and that the alarm of the 
Federal authorities was very great. 

We have seen that the " great force " at Jackson's command 
was 15,000 men, and that a much larger force was about to 
close in upon his rear. His position was critical in the extreme. 
Unless he moved with the greatest speed, and reached Strasburg 
before the junction of Fremont and Shields, his retreat would be 
cut off, and General McDowell, then at Front Royal, would 
achieve his desi^rn of " basrsing Jackson." The great stores at 
Winchester added to his embarrassment. The thought of losing 
the reward of all the toil and courage of his men was inexpres- 



IGO LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

sibly bitter to him. Loss of all his stores, the capture, possibly 
the destruction of his little army — these were the contingencies 
Avhich stared Jackson in the face. To defeat the designs of the 
enemy, and extricate his forces, was the object upon which he 
now concentrated all his skill, nerve, and generalship. 

Once at Winchester again, he possessed himself of the very 
latest information fi-om the rear, and made his dispositions with 
rapidity. The Federal columns were pressing rapidly to inter- 
cept him. Colonel Connor had been attacked, as we have seen, 
at Front Royal, by the Federal cavalry, and driven from the 
place with the loss of all his prisoners, and some men of his own 
command, but had destroyed all the captured stores, worth 
$300,000, before he retreated. Fremont was already at Ward- 
cnsville ; no time was to be lost. 

Early on the morning of May 31st, Colonel Cunningham 
left Winchester with the 21st Virginia, in charge of about 2,300 
prisoners, and the wagon-train, and moved quickly up the vaUey. 
The train was twelve miles long, and was loaded with the cap- 
tured stores, which the enemy were so anxious to regain. 
Jackson followed with the main body. The evacuation of Win- 
chester Avas a heavy blow to him and to the inhabitants. We 
have met with no description of the sorrowful scene which so 
soon succeeded the joyful ovation upon his entrance. It was 
doubtless affecting, for the whole heart of this man was bound 
up in the old town, where so many loved him, and looked to 
him for protection. His parting with these faces, now filled 
with anxiety and distress, must have been bitter. We only 
know that in brief words he assured them that he would " return 
again shortly and as certainly as now," and that one day, not long 
afterwards, when the Federal forces occupied the place, their camps 
were suddenly thrown into tumult, their drums beat to arms, and 
the words passed from lip to lip, " Jackson is coming ! " 

A race now ensued, between Jackson and his adversaries, for 
the possession of Strasburg. Every moment was important. 
On the speed of the " foot cavalry" depended the safety of the 
army ; and if the larger portion marched, as they seem to have 



THE LION EST THE TOILS. 161 

done, from the vicinity of Harper's Ferry to Strasburg, nearly 
iifty miles, between the afternoon of the 30th and the night of the 
31st of May, it is one of the swiftest marches on record. 

Jackson arrived in time, and just in time. He encamped at 
Strasburg on the night of the 31st, with General Fremont's ad- 
vance almost in sight. Winder had not yet come up with his 
brigade and batteries, and, as it was necessary to remain at 
Strasburg until he arrived, Jackson determined to attack Fre- 
mont, and hold him in check. This duty was assigned to Ewell, 
who advanced on the next morning with his division, and, sup- 
ported by other troops, afterwards sent to him, made a sudden 
and determined assault upon their advance force. The enemy 
resisted obstinately, but Ewell finally drove them back, and 
"Winder arriving on the same evening, the whole army continued 
their retreat up the Valley. 

Jackson was now comparatively safe. He had realized the 
prayer which his great namesake of the "Hermitage" uttered 
for a friend — he had " triumphed over all his enemies." He had 
flanked them at From Royal, pursued them from Middletown, 
beaten them at Winchester, chased them to the Potomac, filled 
Washington with alarm ; and now, when their forces were closing 
in upon his rear to intercept him, he had passed between them 
with his prisoners and stores, struck them heavily as he retired, 
and was moving toward the upper Valley. 

He had captured 2,300 prisoners, 100 cattle, 34,000 pounds 
of bacon, flour, salt, sugar, coffee, hard bread, and cheese, 
$125,185 worth of quartermasters' stores, $25,000 worth of 
sutlers' stores, immense medical stores, 9,354 small-arms, two 
pieces of artillery, many cavalry horses ; and 700 sick had been 
released on parole, making the full number of prisoners more 
than 3,000. These results had been achieved with a loss of 68 
killed, 329 wounded, and 3 missing — total loss 400. In ending 
his report, Jackson proudly declared that the battle of Winchester 
was, " on om* part,, a battle without a straggler." 

11 



162 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

CHAPTER Xin. 

OUT OF THE MESHES. 

Mat had passed, June arrived, and the Federal authorities 
seemed as far as ever from the accomplishment of their designs 
against Richmond. 

General McClellan's army still swung tb and fro on either 
side of the Chickahominy, and that commander was still calling for 
reenforcements. A few days after the battle of Winchester, the 
bloody but indecisive action of " Seven Pines " took place, and 
this seems to have been regarded as the sure prelude to the cap- 
ture and occupation of Richmond. To that achievement all the 
Federal movements were directed. McClellan was to press for- 
ward from the east, McDowell to descend from Fredericksburg, 
and Fremont and Shields to overthrow Jackson and swoop down 
from tlie mountains. The three columns would then compose a 
great cordon, and the Confederate power be crushed. 

Such was the situation of affairs in the first days of June. 
Events were hastening on in the Valley and the tidewater ; the 
great movements in both i*egions were contemporaneous. On the 
first day of June, at the very time when McClellan and Johnston 
were fighting at " Seven Pines," before Richmond, Jackson 
passed between the converging columns of his adversaries, 
struck their advance Avith his right wing, and retired in safety. 
At the very moment, some days afterwards, when General Mc- 
Clellan, in the summit of a tall tree, as one of their writers de- 
scribes him, was straining his eyes to discern the columns of 
McDowell on the northern horizon, and listening for the trnmp 
of Fremont's men from the mountains, ncAvs was to. reach him 
of events which reversed the whole plan of his campaign. Rich- 
mond was directly in liis front, with the sunshine on its spires ; 
the army described as the " finest on this planet " was beneath 
him, in the trenches ; and, amid the treacherous swamps of tho 



OUT OF THE MESHES. . 163 

Cbickahominy, all was ready for the great advance, to be co- 
operated in by Generals McDowell, Shields, and Fremont, when 
this intelligence came to overthrow the whole programme. 

General Fremont had failed to intercept Jackson at Stras- 
bvirg ; and General McDowell's column, under Shields, had met 
with no greater success. Jackson had retired like a weary lion, 
carrying off all his spoils ; and the Federal commanders only 
met at Strasburg to condole with each other on the escape of 
their prey. But Jackson was yet in great danger from the 
character of the country and the large force which the enemy 
had at their disposal. The valley turnpike runs along the west- 
ern base of the Massinutton Mountain, which completely pro- 
tects that road from a flank movement from the east, as high up 
as New Market. But opposite that point was the gap which 
Jackson had passed through in advancing. Proceeding up the 
Luray valley from Front Royal, a column of the enemy might 
cross the south fork of the Shenandoah, seize the gap in ques- 
tion, and, coming in on Jackson's flank, assail his forces and 
check their further advance. At the same time, the column 
which was following on his rear would close in and form a junc- 
tion with the other ; and he would thus be compelled to fight the 
entire Federal force in the valley, interposed between his front 
and the Blue Ridge. 

This movement by Luray was evidently the design of the 
enemy. General Shields had now been in possession of Front 
Royal for forty-eight hours, and, as he had not formed a junc- 
tion with Fremont, as was originally intended, it was obviously 
his purpose to make the flanking movement between the Blue 
Ridge and the Massinutton. To defeat this plan, Jackson sent 
forward a party t(5 destroy the White House bridge, over the 
south fork of the Shenandoah, on the road to the New Market 
Gap, and also Columbia bridge, some miles up the river. A 
signal station was also established on the southern summit of the 
Massinutton, to advise him of movements in the Luray valley, 
and Jackson then hastened forward toward New Market with his 
prisoners and captured stores. 



1G4 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

General Fremont's advance, which had been hovering ueai 
the Southern army, in spite of its repulse by Ewell, soon ascer- 
tained that the Confederates had retreated from Strasburg, and 
the whole force of the Federal commander was pushed forward 
in pursuit. Night liad now descended, and a stratagem was at- 
tempted by the enemy, under the cloak of darkness, to throw the 
Confederate rear guard into confusion. The Federal cavalry 
approached cautiously, and, being challenged, replied, " Friends — 
Ashby's cavahy." This disarmed suspicion, and enabled, them 
to come so near, that their attack was sudden and unexpected. 
The 6th Virginia cavalry, which was nearest, retired in disor- 
der before the volleys poured into their ranks, and this confusion 
was communicated to the 2d Virginia cavalry, Avhich was next 
to the 6th. At this critical moment. Colonel Munford, who 
commauded the 2d, acted with promptness and energy. He 
re-formed his regiment, charged the Federal cavalry, and drove 
tliera back, capturing a number of prisoners. The army then 
continued its march, without further annoyance that night. 

Having snatched a brief rest, the troops moved again at day- 
light, resuming the retreat in the direction of Woodstock. The 
enemy followed slowly and cautiously on the trail, apparently 
afraid to press too near and encounter Ashby, who, with his 
cavalry, Caskie's battery, and the 2d brigade, under Colonel 
Patton, held the rear. Near "Woodstock another attack Avas 
made on the rear guard. The extreme rear was held by 
Caskie's battery, supported by about two hundred men from 
Patton's command, as sharpshooters. This was regarded by 
Ashby as sufficient to hold the enemy in check ; and his cavalry 
was quietly pursuing its way, in advance of the artillery, when 
the enemy's horsemen gallantly charged throwgh the sharpshoot- 
ers on the guns, captured some of the cannoneers, and nearly 
succeeded in cutting off the retreat of a rifled piece. It was 
withdrawn, however, in safety, a portion of the enemy rapidly 
following, and, before they were aware of the intended attack 
on them, the Confederate cavalry was thrown into disorder. 
The men retreated in confusion, and ran into the roar of the 



OUT OF THE MESHES. 165 

4:8th Virginia — then passing along a narrow causeway with a 
ravine on one side and a steep embankment on the other — and, 
so sudden was the appearance of the disorganized cavahy in the 
midst of the infantry, that a number of the men were knocked 
down before they could get out of the way. All was now con- 
fusion ; but the cavalry rallied — the 42d Virginia was hastily 
moved to the right of the road and the 48th to the left — and the 
enemy were received with a sudden volley which drove them 
back with loss. Three Federal cavalrymen had charged through 
the whole length of the 2d brigade, two of whom were shot and 
fell between the regiments posted on the roadside, the other es- 
caping. 

This affair annoyed Jackson extremely, the force of Federal 
cavalry which made the charge having been very small, and on 
the next day he asked Colonel Pat ton to give him the details. 
That officer did so, and declared that he regarded it as the most 
dashing and gallant thing which the enemy's cavalry had yet done 
— adding, that if he had been able, he would have prevented the 
troops from firing upon the three men who charged through the 
brigade. Jackson took no notice of these words at the moment, 
but in a few minutes retiirned to the subject in a manner which 
indicated that this daring onslaught on his rear guard by so small 
a force had greatly exasperated him. " Why would you not 
have shot those men. Colonel?" he asked, curtly. "I should 
have spared them, General," returned the officer, " because they 
were brave men who had gotten into a desperate situation where 
it was as easy to capture them as to kill them." Jackson's reply 
was brief. " Shoot them all," he said, coldly ; " I don't want 
them to be brave." 

After this repulse, the army continued its march, Ashby 
having been put in command of the whole rear guard, cavalry 
and infantry, with orders to protect the rear during the remain- 
der of the retreat. The energy of this commander was untiring, 
and, in spite of incessant and determined assaults on him, he re- 
pulsed every advance of the Federal cavalry throughout the 
march. The retreat was one long battle between the Confed- 



166 LITE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

erate rear and the Federal vanguard. They were pressing hotly 
to strike Jackson and delay him until General Shields reached 
New Market to intercept his retreat, and no efforts were spared 
to break through the obstinate impediment which Ashby pre- 
sented, and force Jackson to turn and defend himself. Shields' 
column was pressing forward through the Luray valley ; if the 
Confederate commander could only be delayed for a day, nay a 
i^ew hours, his fate would be sealed. 

Jackson fully appreciated, however, the critical character of 
his situation, and did not relax the rapidity of his retreat. His 
column pressed on along the bank of the Shenandoah, pushing 
the heavy trains and long lines of prisoners before it, and Ashby 
continued to hold the rear, repulsing successfully every assault. 
His artillery was never silent, and at times the troops in front 
would hear the sudden rattle of small-arms, indicating that he 
had ambushed the advancing squadrons, and from the woods 
on the roadside poured a fire into their ranks when it was least 
expected. 

The Federal forces were thus successfully held in check. 
Mount Jackson was passed ; the bridge over the Shenandoah, a 
locality well known to Ashby, was destroyed by him in rear of 
the army ; and Jackson was safe from the column in his rear. 
A short march now promised to terminate the retreat. Jackson 
pushed on through New Market, and finding at Harrisonburg, 
which he reached on the 5th, that all the bridges above that 
point were destroyed by the citizens, turned to the left and fol- 
lowed a country road in the direction of Port Republic, beyond 
which BroAATQ's Gap opened the straight path to Richmond. 

The fluttering signals on the summit of the Massinutton 
Mountain informed him that General Shields was pressing up 
the Luray valley to intercept him at Port Republic ; but this 
fact gave him little concern. The real struggle had been to pre- 
vent the enemy from uniting their columns and striking him 
while laden with spoils and prisoners. One of their columns 
was now distanced ; the other was not feared. Jackson had 
been the lion in the toils, but he Avas now out of the meshes. 



THE DEATH OF ASHBT. 167 

CHAPTER XIV. 

THE DEATH OF ASHBT. 

The army marched from Harrisonburg iu the direction of 
Port Republic, on the morning of the 6th of June. They had 
not seen the enemy for nearly two days, and indulged the hope 
that they were now beyond pursuit. In this, however, they 
were mistaken. The destruction of the bridge over the Shenan- 
doah had delayed the Federal advance for a short time only, and 
they were now pressing forward again on Jackson's trail. 

Their cavaby advance — the 1st New Jersey — was com- 
manded by Sir Percy "Wyndham, an Englishman, who had served 
as a captain in the Austrian army ; in the Italian Revolution 
under Garibaldi as colonel, and had come to the United States 
at the breaking out of the war, and received from President 
Lincoln the appointment of colonel of cavalry. Placed in com- 
mand of a regiment to operate in the Valley, Colonel Wyndham 
had suffered much from the enterprise and activity of Ashby, 
and had publicly announced his intention speedily to " bag " that 
officer. We learn this from a correspondent of a Northern 
journal who accompanied Colonel Wyndham, and who narrated 
what occm-red on this occasion. Advancing now from Harrison- 
burg, Colonel Wyndham came, about three in the afternoon, 
upon Aslib/s cavalry, drawn up to dispute his further progress, 
and notified his friend the correspondent, that if he " wished to 
see a little fun," he ought to remain and witness the encounter. 
The correspondent did do so, and what he witnessed was the 
scene here recorded. Ashby had seen Colonel Wyndham some 
time before he was himself discovered, and determined to " bag " 
Sir Percy. He accordingly sent a portion of his command to 
make a chcuit, unperceived, and take position on the side of the 
road at a point where the crest of a small hill concealed them 
from view. When the party was in position, he made a demon- 



IGS LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

stration oa the road in front of Colonel Wyrnlliam, with the 
apparent purpose of opposing his advance. 

The force which Ashby showed in front was designedly small, 
to draw his adversary on ; and the plan succeeded. "Wyndham, 
flushed with anticipated success, and now certain that he would 
capture or crush the renowned cavalier of the Valley, charged 
down the road ; when Ashby advanced to meet him, the party in 
ambush closed in on his rear, and he was captured, together with 
sixty-three of his men. As he was marched to the rear, under 
guard, he is described as appearing " much chopfallen, and look- 
ing unutterable things in the way of impotent rage, disappointed 
hopes, and wounded pride." As he passed along, the troops 
greeted his appearance with laughter ; but what is said to have 
excited his rage to the highest pitch, was the exclamation of one 
of the Southern soldiers as he passed : " Look at the Yankee 
colonel ! " Sir Percy, it seems, had a great horror of being 
regarded as a " Yankee," and could not bear this title with 
equanimity. 

The affair which thus resulted in the capture of Colonel 
Wyndham by the commander of the Confederate cavalry, was 
succeeded on the same afternoon by a more serious engagement, 
in which Ashby was to fall — depriving the army of the services 
of a partisan of matchless enterpi'ise, indefatigable energy, and 
romantic daring. His fame had mounted to the zenith in the 
brief and fiery campaign now nearly over, and he seemed to 
have before him long years of renown and usefulness, when he 
was suddenly cut down. We approach the narrative of his death 
with reluctance, but cannot omit an event w'hich covered the 
whole array with gloom, and struck down in his pride and 
strength the renowned Partisan of the Valley. 

The enemy's cavalry was speedily followed by the main body 
of their troops, and, believing that he could strike them to advan- 
tage, Ashby sent back for a portion of the infantry which was 
placed at his orders, for the defence of the rear. The 58th Vir- 
ginia and 1st Maryland were sent to him ; and, leaving Colonc' 
Munford in command of the cavalry, Avith orders to keep up a 



THE DEATH OF ASHBT. 169 

fire of artillery upon the Federal cavalry, drawn up on a hill in 
his front, Ashby took the two regiments of infantry and moved 
to the right of the road through the fields, with the design of 
making a circuit, unperceived, and falling on the left flank of 
the enemy. They seem to have conceived a similar design to 
assail his right flank ; and thus the two columns met, encounter- 
ing each other in a field waving with ripe wheat, near a piece of 
woodland. General Ewell, who had now arrived, threw for- 
ward his skirmishers to drive the Federal forces from their 
cover behind a fence immediately in his front. It was about 
sunset when this movement was made, and the golden flush of 
the beautiful June evening lingered on the trees and brightened 
their summits, as it slowly died away beyond the western hills. 
The troops advanced cautiously through the tangled underwood, 
when all at once the dropping fire of musketry was heard in 
front, and the 58th Virginia, a very small regiment, was ordered 
to attack the enemy. Ashby led it, and a heavy volley was 
pom*ed into tlie Federal forces, which they replied to ; another 
came from the 58th, and the firing on the right became hot and 
continuovis. General Ewell saw that the position of the enemy 
was such as to give them great advantage against an attack in front, 
and that the small numbers of the 58th were making no impres- 
sion. He accordingly ordered Colonel Johnson, commanding 
the 1st Maryland, to advance, while the fight was going on, on 
his right, and, by charging the enemy's right flank, drive them 
from the fence. Johnson promptly obeyed, and, gaining the edge 
of the woods on the Federal flank, gave the order to charge, and 
his men rushed forward under a heavy fire. Captain Eobertson 
and Lieutenant Snowden were shot dead ; Colonel Johnson's 
horse fell with him, pierced with three bullets ; and the colors 
of the regiment were three times shot dowoi. But the Pennsyl- 
vania " Bucktails," Lieutenant-Colonel Kane, were driven from 
their position behind the fence, their colonel captured, and the 
Federal forces were now in full retreat. 

Ashby was dead. He had gone forward with the 58th and 
taken position on the right of the regiment, which suddenly 



lYO LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

found itself ia front of the enemy. A volley was poured into 
the Federal forces, as we have seen, by the 58th — and theu 
another : but the numbers of the Virginians were so small, and 
the position of the Federal troops so well chosen, that the fire 
did them little damage. Ashby witnessed this result and the 
persisteot stand of his opponents with fiery impatience. lie 
directed the 58th to cease firing, and press the enemy with the 
bayonet ; and, putting spur to his horse, rushed forward, shouting, 
" Virginians, charge ! " when the animal was shot under him, 
and fell.* In an instant he was on his feet, and again advanced. 
He had not, however, moved ten steps, and was still ordering 
the men not to fii-e but depend on the bayonet, when a bullet 
pierced his body, and he fell dead almost instantly, at the very 
moment when the shouts of triumph around him indicated the 
repulse of the enemy. His body was raised in the arms of the 
men, placed on a horse before one of them, and, with the equip- 
ments of his horse, borne from the field, where the soldier had 
died the death he would have chosen — leading a charge, and 
with his face to the foe. 

Thus ended the brief but splendid career of Tui*ner Ashby. 
The leader in a hundred engagements had fallen in an obscure 
skirmish, so insignificant that the very name of it is unknown, 
But that was not important. The time and place were nothing, 
and would thus have been regarded by him, so that he died " in 
harness," fighting to the last. 

The name of Ashby wUl long be remembered by the people of 
Virginia, who rightly esteemed him as one of the ablest soldiers 
of the war, and one of the noblest sons of the commonwealth 
which gave him birth. He was the ideal-type of the Southern 
cavalier, pure-hearted, stainless in morals, and of heroic courage 
and constancy. Let us praise the dead warmly, when we can do 
so with truth — and Ashby was one of those men who stand out 

* This horse was the same which Jackson had ridden at the battle of 
Manassas, and belonged to Captain James Thomson of the Stuart Horse 
Artillery. He lent the animal to both Jackson and Ashby, and both were 
Bhot upon him. 



THE DEATH OF A8HBT. 171 

from his contemporaries, and shed splendor upon an epoch. 
Those who knew him best were least able to discover his faults ; 
and those which he did possess, were lost in the blaze of great 
virtues. The son of a gentleman of Fauquier, he had early con- 
ceived a passionate fondness for horsemanship, the chase, and 
all manly sports, and at the breaking out of the revolution had 
rushed to the standard of his State with the ardor of a knight 
setting out on a crusade, or to rescue some weak woman held in 
durance. He was already at Harper's Ferry when Jackson 
arrived there ; and when a friend asked, " What flag are we 
going to fight under — the Palmetto, or what?" he raised his hat, 
showed in it a Virginia flag which he had had painted on the 
night before his departure fi-om Richmond, and replied, " Here 
is the flag I intend to fight under." That night the flag was run 
up by the light of the burning buUdings, and Ashby fought under 
it to the last. Thus commenced his career — in the midst of 
joyous excitement, with the flush of youthful ambition and hopes 
of distinction ; but the cloud soon overshadowed this bright 
dawn. In the last days of June, 1861, his brother Richard, 
while scouting with six men on the Upper Potomac, was attacked 
by eighteen of the enemy, and, his horse falling with him, he 
was cruelly bruised, beaten, and then shot and killed, almost 
within sight of Turner Ashby. He tried to reach Richard, 
and with eleven men charged one hundred, killing five with his 
own hand ; but all was of no avail. Richard lingered a few 
days and then died, and was buried near the town of Romney. 
Turner Ashby being present at liis burial, he stood by the grave, 
took his brother's sword, broke it, and dropped it on the cofiin, 
clasped his hands, and raised his eyes to heaven as though regis- 
tering some vow, and then, closely compressing his lips to pre- 
vent a sob from bursting forth, mounted his horse in silence and 
rode away. After the death of his brother, a lady said of him, 
" Ashby is now a devoted man." He took command of Jack- 
son's cavalry in the autumn of 1861, and his commander wrote 
of him : " As a partisan officer I never knew his superior. His 
daring Avas proverbial, his powers of endurance almost incredi- 



172 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

ble, his tone of character heroic, and his sagacity almost intuitive 
in divining the purposes and movements of the enemy." This 
partisan, of character so heroic, of sagacity so intuitive, was the 
native and untrained growth of Virginia soil, with no advantage 
from the schools, and no military education. He could scarcely 
driU a regiment ; and the discipline which he preserved, if he 
could be said to preserve any with the men whom he commanded, 
was more like that of the chief huntsman of a hunting-party 
than a leader of men in the field. He was a knight rather than 
a soldier, but what he wanted in knowledge of the science of 
war, he made up by daring ; and his men almost idolized him, 
for they saw that he had the eye and the nerve of the born 
leader. What made him their chieftain was his fearless courage, 
his contempt for danger, his unassuming bearing, and the fire 
of his eyes, as he waved his sword around his head, and. cried 
in his clear, sweet voice, '' Follow me ! " 

As a leader of partisans he ranked among the foremost of his 
contemporaries. He had the daring, the watchfulness, the love 
of wild adventure, and the elan in an attack, which make a 
leader irresistible. The best rider, probably, in the whole State 
of Virginia, he had delighted, in days of peace, to figure at tour- 
naments on his swift blood-horses ; and now the skill which he 
had acquired there, and in the chase, was made useful for the 
defence of the border. He might allow his men to rest, and 
return home if they were dissatisfied ; but he never rested, and 
had forgotten all homes but his saddle. He was never idle ; 
ever curious to know what the enemy designed, or were doing ; 
and allowed no man to reconnoitre for him when he could do so 
in person. He Avould sometimes ride daily over a picket line 
sixty or seventy miles in extent, appearing suddenly in presence 
of the lonely videttes, and thus impressing upon them the con- 
viction that his eye was always on them. His movements were 
rapid, untiring, without reference to night or day. He came 
and went, it was said, " like a dream." Heard of in one part 
of the country on a certain day, on the next he would appear 
suddenly, on his fleet white horse, nearly a hundred miles dis- 



THE DEATH OF ASHBT. 1Y3 

taut, in auother region. He was the life and soul of the men 
thus on duty. He never looked gloomy or dejected, though 
often sad ; and was cheerful, almost gay, except when the re- 
membrance of his brother's death cast a shadow upon his fore- 
head. When that spell came over him, and brought a sad 
smile to his lips, he was more than ever dangerous, and untiring 
on the trail of the enemy ; for private vengeance as well as the 
public service then stung him to action. 

He was a born king of battle, and had a passion for danger 
for its own sake. It charmed and intoxicated him ; kindled the 
gaudium certaminis in his clear brown eyes ; and he was plainly 
then in his chosen element. The thunders of battle made him 
happy. Habitually silent and sedate, at such moments he looked 
animated, and grew eloquent of speech. He met Danger and 
Death as old and familiar companions ; shook hands and walked 
arm in arm with them. Defiance of the enemy was at such 
times a species of pride and delight to him. At Bolivar Heights 
his cannoneers were shot down, and the enemy were rushing 
with loud shouts on his artillery, when, leaping to the ground, 
he seized the sponge-staff, and loaded and fired with his own 
hands, driving them back with shattered ranks into the town. 
At Boteler's mill, to encourage the militia, he rode up to the 
crest of the hill on his famous white horse, in close range of the 
enemy's swarm of sharpshooters, slowly paced up and down, 
and, when the bullets were showering thickest, reined in his horse, 
and stood perfectly still, gazing carelessly at them, the picture 
and embodiment of chivalry. At Winchester, we have seen him 
wait until the enemy swarmed in, and then cut down the men 
sent round to intercept him ; at Middletown, seen him charge 
upon hundreds single-handed ; at the bridge over the Shenan- 
doah, remain behind all his men, until the enemy were upon 
him ; and we have shown how he fell, charging in front of his 
line, with a spirit that was inaccessible to the emotion of fear. 
But these scenes are only recorded by chance. The tm written 
romance of his career would fill volumes, and will yet be col- 
lected from the gray-haired oracles of the fireside. 



174 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

He never forgot that he was a gentleman, and kept his 
escutcheon untainted by any blot. No excitement, or peril, or 
reverse made him rude ; no success or praise touched his deli- 
cate and lofty spirit with the stain of arrogance or vanity. He 
was as simple as a child, and preserved his winning courtesy 
even toward the enemies whom he must have hated bitterly. 
After the battle of Winchester, some Northern ladies came and 
said : " Colonel Ash by, you inay search our baggage ; we assure 
you we are carrying away nothing we are not at liberty to. 
You may search our persons, and see if we carry away any 
tiling contraband." He replied : " I have no right to look into 
ladies' baggage, or to examine their trunks. Virgiuia gentle- 
men do not search the persons of ladies." 

He was pure in his life, devout and childlike in his religious 
faith, and a regular attendant on the services of the Episcopal 
Church, which was the church of his ancestors. He was too 
proud a man not to be humble and bend his knee to his Creator. 
He would have nothing to do with the humors of the vulgar, 
and kept himself aloof from the taint of such intercourse with 
a sort of noble hauteur ; though no man was more frank and 
gay on the march, in bivouac, and by the camp-fire. 

In appearance the partisan was thoroughly the soldier. His 
figure was below the medium height, and, though not robust, 
closely knit and vigorous ; a frame capable of sleepless activity 
and endurance ; of remaining whole days and nights in the sad- 
dle, and of bidding defiance to all fatigues and hardships. His 
forehead was fine ; his eyes dark brown, penetrating, and bril- 
liant ; his complexion so dark that he resembled a Moor ; and 
this face was covered by a heavy black beard and mustache. 
He was careless in his dress, wearing a plain suit of gray, cav- 
alry boots, and a sash. He " looked like work," and was 
generally spattered with mud, or covered with dust. A long 
sabre and dark feather indicated the cavalier ; his seat in the 
saddle was that of a master rider ; and when this figure ap- 
peared amid the smoke of battle, the face all ablaze, and the 
nervous hand guiding the most fiery horse, as though the two 



THE DEATH OF ASHBY. 175 

were one, it was impossible to imagine a more perfect picture 
of the cavaliers of Prince Rupert in the days of Charles I. Of 
his appearance in action his friends recall many particulars, and 
their words grow eloquent as they write of him. " The last 
time I saw Ashby," says Colonel Johnson, who was near him 
when he fell, " he was riding at the head of the column with 
General Ewell, his black face in a blaze of enthusiasm. Every 
feature beamed with the joy of the soldier. He was gesticu- 
lating, and pointing out the country and positions to General 
Ewell. I could imagine what he was saying, by the motions of 
his right arm. I pointed him out to my adjutant. ' Look at 
Ashby ; see how he is enjoying himself ! ' " 

Of this beautiful nature, full of heroism, modesty, and chiv- 
alry, much more might be said, but the crowded canvas does 
not admit of an adequate delineation of him. The wi-iter of 
this page had the honor and happiness to know him ; to hear the 
sweet accents of his friendly voice ; and to look into the depths 
of those clear brown eyes, which never sank before the stare of 
peril. It seems to him now, as he remembers Ashby, that he 
has known and clasped hands with one of the greatest of the 
worthies of Virginia. As a stranger, he was charming ; but 
those who knew him best and longest are his warmest eulogists. 
" I was with him," says Colonel Johnson, " when the first blow 
was struck for the cause which we both had so much at heart ; 
and was with him in his last fight, always knowing him to be 
beyond all modern men in chivalry, as he was equal to any one 
in courage. He combined the vii-tues of Sir Philip Sidney with 
the dash of Murat. I contribute my mite to his fame, which 
will live in the Valley of Virginia, outside of books, as long as 
its hills and mountains shall endure." 

Such was the man who had fallen, in the bloom of manhood, 
and just as his fame began to dazzle every eye. The career of 
the great partisan was romantic, splendid, evanescent. He 
passed like a dream of chivalry. Young in years when he died, 
he was old in toil, in vigils, in battles, in responsibilities, and 
eminent public services. Fate had set its seal upon him. After 



176 LIFE OF STONEWAXiL JACKSON. 

his brother's death, a sad smile was the habitual expression of 
his. countenance, and his life' was little worth to him, for he was 
" devoted" to death and to glory. That death soon came, when 
his pulses were most fiery ; and in a mean, unknown skirmish 
Virginia lost one of the greatest of her defenders. The bold 
rider, the brave partisan, the great soldier, the gentleman, the 
patriot, the Christian, the knight without fear and without re- 
proach — such was Ashby. 

He fell on the field, with the war-cry on his lips, and fighting 
for his native soil ; the wave of death rolled over him, and the 
figure of the partisan disappeared in its depths. But that figure 
is not lost. It has passed from earth and the eyes of the flesh, 
but will live immortal on the pages of history, in the memories 
of the aged, and in the hearts of the people who saw his great 
faculties, and loved him as the flower of chivalry and honor. 



CHAPTER XV. 

JACKSON NARROWLY ESCAPES CAPTURE. 

To clearly comprehend the strategy of Jackson from this 
moment, it is necessary that the reader should have a correct 
knowledge of the situation of the opposing forces, and the 
ground upon which the adversaries were about to manoeuvre 
their columns. 

Port Republic is a village situated in the angle formed by 
the junction of the North and South Rivers, tributaries of the 
south fork of the Shenandoah, running, as we have seen, between 
tiie Blue Ridge and the Massjnptton, and uniting its waters with 
the north fork in the vicinity of Fi'ont Royal. The village is 
about fifteen miles southeast of Harrisonburg, and is connected 
Avith that place by a county road which crosses a bridge over 
the North River at the town. Another road passes through a 
ford in the South River, runs northeast from Port Republic, and 



JACKSON NAEKOWLT ESCAPES CAPTUEE. 177 

down the right bank of the Shenandoah, to Conrad's Store and 
Luray. A third, crossing at the same ford, east of the town, 
runs southeast, passes the Blue Ridge at Brown's Gap, and 
leads to Charlottesville. The ground around Port Republic is 
rolling, and broken into hills and spurs, crowned with forests ; 
the fields, at the time of the battle, were waving with corn and 
wheat. North of the town the ground is elevated, and this was 
the position which Jackson occupied with his main body, Ewell 
remaining ia the rear, about four miles distant, on the road to 
Harrisonburg, and at a point to which the intersection of sev- 
eral roads had given the name of Cross Keys. 

Port Republic, occupied by Jackson ; Conrad's Store, occu- 
pied by Shields ; and Harrisonburg, occupied by Fremont, formed 
very nearly the angles of an equilateral triangle, the sides fif- 
teen miles in length. Brown's Gap was nearly in Jackson's 
rear, as he faced both his adversaries : thus his avenue of re- 
treat was completely open, and it was entirely at his option 
whether he would fight, or fall back. Entirely out of the net 
which the enemy had thrown to entrap him at New Market, he 
was master of his ovni destiny, and it remained for him to de- 
cide whether he would abandon the Valley and unite his forces 
with those of Johnston at Richmond, or advance to attack the 
armies which had so persistently followed and ofiered him battle. 

The odds against him were still such as would have discour- 
aged a less resolute commander. General Fremont's army at 
Harrisonburg is said to have numbered about 20,000 men, and 
the force of General Shields, at Conrad's Store, between 10,000 
and 15,000 — probably about 12,000 ; making the whole force 
opposed to Jackson somewhat more than 30,000 troops. His 
own force had approached 20,000 when he marched down the 
Valley to attack General Banks ; but such had been the rapidity 
of the march, both in advancing and retreating, and so many of 
his troops were laid up, detailed, and absent from other causes, 
that his entire force amounted, probably, at this moment, to not 
more than, if as much as 12,000 men. 

These estimates are made upon reliable data, and, though 
12 



178 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

not official, are probably very near the truth. It will thus be 
seen that Jackson had in front of him an adversary more than 
twice as strong in numbers as himself. 

It was the relative position of the two columns of the enemy, 
however, which now induced him not to retreat further, but to 
act on the offiinsive. Fremont and Shields were only ten or 
fifteen miles apart ; but Jackson had destroyed the bridge over 
the Shenandoah at Conrad's Store, and they were thus no nearer 
a junction of their two columns than before. To attack him, 
General Fremont must assail him by the Harrisonburg road in 
his front, and General Shields by the road running down on his 
right flank ; and, if he could strike these adversaries in detail, 
before their forces were united at Port Republic, he might count 
with some certainty upon defeating them. 

His plans were rapidly resolved on, and he hastened to carry 
them into execution. General Ewell had fallen back from the 
ground where Ashby fell, and now occupied a strong position 
on the Harrisonburg road ; and the defence of that avenue of 
approach could be left with confidence to this trusty soldier, 
while Jackson went with the main column to meet General 
Shields. 

Jackson's plans were simple. He intended to crush General 
Shields at one blow, and then return to the assistance of Ewell, 
unite their forces, and fall upon the main body under Fremont. 
The rest he left to Providence. 

The great series of manoeuvres now commenced with energy. 
Jackson's main body arrived opposite Port Republic on the 
night of the 7th of June, and a small force of cavalry was at 
once sent out on the road toward Conrad's Store to verify the 
report of the rapid advance of General Shields, and reconnoitre 
the strength of his column. On the next morning the cavalry 
came galloping back, with discreditable precipitancy, and an- 
nounced that the enemy were then marching on Port Republic, 
and were nearly in sight of the place. Jackson, who had crossed 
into the town on the night before, accompanied by some mem- 
bers of his staff", saw that not a moment was to be lost. The 



JACKSON NAitEOWLT ESCAPES CAPTTJEE. 179 

enemy's design was evidently to make a sudden attack upon the 
town, destroy the bridge over the Shenandoah, and thus cut off 
the army, and get in its rear. To defeat this design, Jackson 
sent hurried orders to Taliaferro and Winder to get their men 
under arms for the defence of the bridge, and occupy the ground 
on the north side, immediately opposite to it, with their batteries. 
Before these orders could be executed, the Federal advance 
guard appeared, their batteries opened fire, and their cavalry, 
crossing the South River, dashed into the town, followed by the 
artillery, which thundered forward, and took position at the 
southern entrance of the bridge. 

Jackson and his staff had not recrossed the river, and were 
completely cut off. His army was on the north side of the 
Shenandoah, its general with his staff on the south side, with 
the enemy's cavalry and artillery holding the only avenue of re- 
turn to the northern bank. The emergency served to display 
Jackson's nerve and presence of mind. He rode toward the 
bridge, and, rising in his stirrups, called sternly to the Federal 
officer commanding the artillery placed to sweep it : " Who 
ordered you to post that gun there, sir? Bring it over here ! " 

The tone of these words was so assured and commanding, 
that the officer did not imagine they could be uttered by any 
other than one of the Federal generals, and, bowing, he limbered 
up the piece, and prepared to move. Jackson lost no time in 
taking advantage of the opportunity. He put spurs to his horse, 
and, followed by his staff, crossed the bridge at full gallop, fol- 
lowed by three hasty shots from the artillery, which had been 
hastily unlimbered and turned on him. It was too late. The 
shots flew harmless over the heads of the general and his staff, 
and they reached the northern bank in safety.* 

* This incident lias been variously related. It is here given accurately. 
The correspondent of a Northern journal published the following statement 
soon afterwards, which we extract for the amusement of the reader : " Yes- 
terday I met Captain Robinson, of Robinson's battery, on his way home to 
Portsmouth, Ohio, to recruit. He was at the battle of Port Republic, where 
his brother lost three guns, and was wounded and made prisoner. Captain 



180 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

No time was now lost in placing the Confederate batteries 
iu position, and preparing for an assault with infantry on the 
force occupying the bridge. The guns of Wooding, Poague, 
and Carpenter were hurried forward, and Poague opened with 
one of his pieces on the Federal artillery, from which Jackson 
had just escaped. This was followed by a rapid advance of the 
infantry. Taliaferro's brigade having reached the point first, 
was ordered forward, and the 37th Virginia, Colonel Fulkerson, 
charged across the bridge in face of the enemy's artillery fire, 
and captured the gun which was playing upon them. The rest 
of the brigade followed ; the Federal cavalry was dispersed and 
driven back ; another gun captured, and the town was in Jack- 
son's possession. 

The enemy determined, however, not to give up the place 
without a struggle ; and their 4th brigade, under General Carroll, 
now advanced to the attack. The effort failed in its inception. 
They were met by the fire of the Confederate batteries, which 
sent a storm of shell into the advancing infantry and retreating 
cavalry, and the Federal forces recoiled. In a short time they 
were observed to retreat, and they continued to fall back until 
they had reached Lewis', tkree miles down the river, where they 
turned a bend in the road, and were lost sight of by the artillery, 
which had continued to follow them on the opposite bank of the 

Robinson, who appears to be a very modest and veracious man, relates that 
while he was working one of his guns, Stonewall Jackson, whose form was 
familiar to him, came within easy hailing distance, and, standing erect in his 
stirrups, beckoned with his hand, and actually ordered him to ' bring that 
gun over here.' 

" Captain Robinson replied by eagerly firing three shots at the ubiquitous 
Presbyterian, but without even the eflfect of scaring him. 'I might have 
known,' said he, ' that I could not hit him.' 

" Captain Robinson is utterly at a loss to explain this extraordinary per- 
sonal demonstration of the redoubtable 'Stonewall.' Whether he mistook 
him for one of his own men, or that some incomprehensible ruse was involved 
in the act, he does not pretend to guess. But one thing he does know — that 
Stonewall Jackson is the great man of the war, and that our troops in tho 
Valley believe him to be as humane as he is rapid and daring." 



CROSS KEYS. 181 

river, and hasten their movements by firing on their flank and 
rear. Such was the end of the first act of the drama. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

CROSS KEYS. 

The attack of General Shields on Poi*t Republic had scarcely 
been repulsed, when General EweU was assailed by General 
Fremont from the direction of Harrisonburg. 

EweU was posted, as we have said, with his division, nearly 
half way between Harrisonburg and Port Republic, where sev- 
eral roads unite at a point known as Cross Keys, from a tavern 
which formerly stood near the junction of the roads, bearing 
two keys crossed upon its sign-board. The ground upon which 
he determined to receive the attack of the enemy was a com- 
manding ridge rimning at right angles to the Port Republic road, 
which intersects it at about the centre. In front was a large 
extent of open ground through which a rivulet ran, and his 
flanks were protected by woods which concealed the position of 
the troops. ^ 

Trimble's brigade was posted in the edge of the woods on 
the right, across the creek, somewhat in advance of the centre ; 
General Geo. H. Steuart's brigade on the left, in a wood, with a 
field in their front ; and the centre was held by the batteries of 
Courtney, Raines, Brockenbrough, and Lusk, in the open field 
upon the ridge, supported by the 21st North Carolina, of Trim- 
ble's brigade, and Elzey's brigade as a reserve. From an aide- 
de-camp of General Blenker, kUled by one of General Trimble's 
men, was afterwards taken General Fremont's " Order of 
March ; " and this showed that his force consisted of six brigades 
of infantry, commanded by Generals Blenker, Milroy, Stahel, 
Steinwehr, and another, and one brigade of cavalry. EweU 
had three brigades — Elzey's, Steuart's, and Trimble's, Taylor's 



/ 



182 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

not haviag come up in time — ^and we have bis own authority for 
stating that his force did not number 5,000 bayonets. 

Ewell's dispositions wore scarcely made, and the troops well 
in position, when the 15th Alabama, Colonel Canty, which had 
been thrown out some distance in front, was attacked by the 
enemy, and forced gradually to retire before the large force op- 
posed to it. The regiment made, however, a gallant resistance, 
and succeeded in holding the enemy in check until Ewell was 
ready to receive them, when the men retired. The Federal 
forces now advanced cautiously, and threw out skirmishers to 
feel the Confederate position, their artillery following and taking 
position in the centre, near the church and former Cross Keys 
tavern, directly opposite to that of General Ewell. About noon 
their batteries opened, and the Confederates replying with ani- 
mation, several hours were spent in an artillery duel, without 
serious results upon either side. 

The indisposition of the enemy to advance upon the small 
force opposed to them can only be explained upon the hypothesis 
that General Fremont supposed Jackson's main body to be in 
his front. The roar of artillery from the direction of Port Re- 
public had announced to him the arrival of General Shields at 
that point, and induced him to advance from Harrisonburg, with 
the view of attacking Jackson's rear while he was engaged with 
the column of Shields ; but the gradually receding thunder of the 
Southern guns, as General Shields fell back and was pursued 
down the river, was sufficient proof of the failure of the attack ; 
and the enemy now seemed to fear — with good grounds for the 
apprehension — an assault upon their main body by Jackson's 
entire command, concentrated at Cross Keys. 

In this state of doubt and ignorance of his adversary's posi- 
tion and designs. General Fremont did not advance his infantry 
for some hours — contenting himself with the cannonade above 
described. But as the day passed on, and Jackson did not at- 
tack, he discovered the small number of the force in his front, 
and made his dispositions for an assault upon the Confederate 
right wing, to turn their position. The attack was soon made. 



CROSS KEYS. 183 

A. Federal brigade was suddenly seen moving toward the Con- 
federate right, under cover of the woods, in the direction of a 
bill whose crest was directly in front of General Trimble. They 
eteadily moved forward without annoyance from the Confed- 
erates — Trimble reserving his fire — when, just as they mounted 
tlie crest of the hiU, within easy range of musketry, Trimble 
gave the word, and a long sheet of fire ran along his lines, fol- 
lowed by a crash which resounded through the woods, and told 
Ewell that the battle had begun. The fire was so sudden and 
deadly that the ground was covered with the dead and wounded, 
and the whole Federal line was borne back and driven from the 
crest. This advantage was quickly followed up. Observing a 
battery coming into position directly in his front, General Trim- 
ble ordered a charge upon it. The 13th and 25th Virginia, of 
Elzey's brigade, had been hurried up from the rear ; and, thus 
reenforced, General Trimble pushed forward to capture the bat- 
tery. As he advanced, the Federal infantry posted to support 
the guns opened on his line ; but the troops responded with so 
much animation, that the Federal forces were driven from their 
position, and the battery hastUy limbered up and beat a retreat, 
leaving Trimble in possession of the ground. This brief en- 
gagement was almost without loss on the Southern side, and en- 
abled Trimble to advance his position more than a mile ; while 
the Federal forces were obliged to make a corresponding change 
and fall back to the ground occupied by them before they ad- 
vanced to the attack. 

In this charge, a stand of colors was taken ; the honor of 
its capture being claimed both by the 16th Mississippi, Colonel 
Posey, and the 21st Georgia, Colonel Mercer. 

A simultaneous attack had been made on the left, where 
Steuart was posted, and not less than four charges were made 
by fresh Federal troops in this part of the field. They were all 
repulsed with loss to the enemy — the Confederates fighting for 
the most part behind trees — and General Ewell was about to 
order his whole line forward, when a large force of the enemy 
was reported to be moving around his left, with the design of 



184 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

assailing him in the rear. This turned out to be erroneous ; 
and, having strengthened his centre and left with the 42d and 
48th Virginia and 1st ("Irish") battalion, all under Colonel 
Patton, he ordered a general advance, which began about dark. 
Ilis left had advanced nearly within musket range of the Fed- 
eral bivouac fires near the church, and Trimble was about as 
close to them, when EweU received orders from Jackson to 
withdraw as soon as possible, and cross the river to Port Repub- 
lic. This was done without loss of time. The dead were buried, 
the wounded removed, except those in articulo mortis^, whom 
it would have been cruel to disturb,* and the troops moved about 
midnight toward Port Republic, which they reached at daylight. 

General Ewell's loss in this battle in killed, wounded, and 
missing, was 300. The enemy are said to have buried about 
300, threw others into a well, and lost about 100 prisoners. 
They stated their loss to be 2,000 ; and this remarkable dispro- 
portion can only be explained by the fact that Ewell's position 
was vastly better than his adversary's, and that his opponents 
were chiefly Dutch. f 

The engagement at Cross Keys was indecisive, but important 
in its bearing upon the general plans of Jackson. General Fre- 
mont's whole column had been checked by a much smaller force, 
and an opportunity given for a concentration of all Jackson's 
troops for the object which he now had in view. 

His design was to quietly withdraAV the command of General 
Ewell during the night, leaving only a small force to make dem- 
onstrations in Fremont's front ; and, concentrating the army at 
Port Republic, cross the river, advance upon General Shields, 
and crush him at a blow. The details of this intended move- 
ment, and Jackson's further designs, are so clearly conveyed in 

* It is related of General Ewell that he remained to the last on the field of 
Cross Keys, helping to place the wounded on horseback with his own hands, 
and giving to those who were too badly injured to be removed, money out 
of his own pocket. 

f The writer is indebted to General Ewell for interesting particulars re- 
'ating to this action. 



CEOSS KEYS. 185 

a MS. statement of Colonel JoLu M. Patton, commanding the 
force left in front of General Fremont, that we here give an ex- 
tract from it. Colonel Patton had in his brigade only eight hxm- 
dred effective men ; and feeling that it wa,s desirable to know as 
much as possible of Jackson's designs, and the duty expected of 
him, he repaired during the night to Port Republic, to have an 
interview with the General. 

" I found him at two o'clock a. m.," says Colonel Patton, 
" actively making his dispositions. He immediately proceeded to 
give me particular instructions as to the management of my men 
in covering the rear, saying : ' I wish you to throw out all your 
men if necessary, as skirmishers, and to make a great show and 
parade, so as to make the enemy think that the whole army are 
beliind you. Hold yom- position as well as you can, then faU 
back when obliged ; take a new position and hold it in the same 
way, and I'll be back to join you in the morning.' I replied 
that, as he knew the ground over which I had to retire (from 
Cross Keys to Port Republic) was as bad ground for the pur- 
pose as any in the Valley, and as my force was small, it was 
therefore very interesting for me to know when he would be 
back. He turned his face aside and a little up, as he sometimes 
did, and replied : ' By the blessing of Providence I hope to be 
back by ten o'clock.' 

" This purpose of General Jackson's," adds Colonel Patton, 
" was not executed, on account of the untoward result of his first 
charge on the Yankee battery at Port Republic. When that re- 
pulse took place, an aide was despatched to us, who reached us 
with his horse foaming, just as we were taking up a new posi- 
tion, and ordered us to break up our position, cross the bridge 
at Port Republic, burn it, and hurry up to the battle-field, double 
quick." 

But we anticipate the order of events. 



186 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

PORT REPUBLIC. 

Jackson moved to attack the Federal column under General 
Shields about sunrise. 

The battle of Port Republic was fought on the eastern bank 
of the Shenandoah, about two miles from the town. The force 
di'iven out of the place on the preceding day was only the ad- 
vance guard, under General Carroll. The main body of General 
Shields' army had now come up, and that commander had taken 
a position which gave him great advantages in the bloody con- 
flict about to ensue. His right flank rested on the river, which 
here bends round in the shape of a crescent, and is edged with 
thickets along its margin, so dense as almost completely to pre- 
vent the advance of troops. From this strong point the Federal 
line of battle stretched away across an extensive field embraced 
in the bend of the stream, and at this time covered with a wheat 
crop which the sunny days of June had turned into wavdng gold. 
Their left wing rested on a wooded ridge ne^r the Lewis house, 
and just at the foot of Cole Mountain ; and at this point they 
had posted seven pieces of artillery, with others in the rear of 
the line, wherever the undulation of the ground afforded them 
an opportunity to employ artillery to advantage. Thus judi- 
ciously drawn up, with his flanks protected by a river and a 
thickly wooded ridge. General Shields awaited with confidence 
the expected attack of Jackson. 

That attack was not delayed. The Federal regiments were 
scarcely arranged in line of battle, with the Stars and Stripes 
waving proudly in the early sunshine, when they saw advan- 
cing toward them a long line of glittering bayonets beneath the 
Confederate. flag, and the blue "Sic semper" banner of Vir- 
ginia.* It was the Stonewall Brigade, under General Winder, 

* Letter of a soldier. 



POKT EEPUBLIC. 187 

and accompanied by Jackson in person. They had encountered 
and driven off the Federal pickets about a mile and a half from 
Port Republic ; and as they now swept forward, the 2d and 4th 
Virginia on the right, the 5th and 27th on the left, toward the 
river, they immediately became a target for the Federal batteries 
near the Lewis house, which swept the plateau in front and the 
field over which the Virginians were advancing, with a storm 
of shell. General Winder immediately brought forward his 
own batteries, and posted Captain Poague, with two Parrott guns, 
on the left of the road, with orders to open on the Federal artil- 
lery, and, if possible, silence it. Captain Carpenter was also 
sent to the right with similar orders ; but the dense under- 
growth upon the ridge rendering it impossible to drag the gnns 
through it, he returned to the left and cooperated with Poague. 
A rapid and determined fire was now opened from the Southern 
guns, but their adversaries had the advantage in position and 
weight of metal. The Federal artillery opposed to Poague con- 
sisted of three guns from Captain Clark's battery, three from 
Captain Huntington's, and one of Captain Robinson's, nearly all 
rifles.* It was soon obvious that the Confederate batteries were 
no match for those of the enemy, and Winder determined to 
stop this long-range engagement, and charge the Federal artil- 
lery with his infantry. At the word, his brigade, now reenforced 
by the 7th Louisiana, under Colonel Harry Hays, advanced at a 
double quick ; but encountering a fire of shell, canister, and small- 
arms so heavy and murderous that nothing could stand before 
it, the men fell back in disorder, and Winder was forced to 
abandon his design. 

This first repulse gave the enemy renewed spirit, and they 
now rushed forward aud made a vigorous attack upon the 
brigade, which retired before them. Jackson's artillery was, 
in consequence, obliged to retreat in haste from its position, 
and the ground which his lines had occupied was now in pos- 
session of the Federal forces. They continued to push their 

* Heport of General Tyler. 



188 LITE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

advantage and press forward against the reenforcements hurried 
to the front. The 54th and 58th Virginia, directed by General 
Ewell, and led by Colonel Scott, made a detennined attack upon 
the flank of the advancing line, and for a short time held it in 
check ; but they were outnumbered by their opponents, "whose 
attack was supported by a hot fire of artillery, and were finally 
compelled to retire into the woods, with the loss of one of Cap- 
tain Poague's six-pounders, and a considerable number of men. 

This inauspicious commencement of the action was disheart- 
ening, but a new aspect was speedily given to the face of afiau's. 
Jackson soon perceived that the wooded ridge near the Lewis 
house, on the Federal left, was the key of the whole position, and 
that, unless the artillery there posted was captured or silenced, 
it would continue to sweep the entire ground in front, and render 
an attack upon the Federal centre or right wing impossible. But 
any attempt to take the guns seemed desperate. They were on 
commanding ground, supported by a heavy force of infantry, 
and the charge must be made in the face of a " fire of hell." 
Jackson sat on his horse, looking at the guns belching forth 
their showers of iron hail, and then, turning to General Taylor, 
who was near him, said briefly, "Can you take that battery? 
It must be taken." Taylor galloped back to his brigade, and 
pointing with his sword to the enemy's guns, called out in a 
voice which rang like a clarion, " Louisianians ! can you take 
that battery ? " The answer was a deafening shout, and, placing 
himself at the head of the column, Taylor gave the order to 
charge the guns. 

The men swept forward at the word. They were the 6th, 
7th, 8th, and 9th Louisiana, AVlieat's battalion of " Tigers," and 
a Virginia regiment. The ground over which they moved was 
on the acclivity of the mountain, and they were obliged to pene- 
trate a rough and tangled forest, which it was almost impossible 
to pierce. But nothing could oppose the ardor of the men ; they 
rushed forward with ranks broken by the inequality of the 
ground, and at that moment the loud cheering of the enemy on 
the left indicated their entire success in that portion of the field- 



POKT KEPUBLIC. 189 

A response came from the riglit. It was Taylor's Louisianians, 
wlio had re-formed their broken ranks, emerged from the woods, 
and now charged across the low grounds in front of the Federal 
batteries with deafening cheers. The low grounds were passed ; 
they were now ascending the slope. As they did so, the Federal 
batteries directed upon them their most fatal thunders. The 
advance was made, says an eye-witness, in the midst of " one 
iQcessant storm of grape, canister, and shell, literally covering 
the valley." The men were mowed down like grass — dead and 
wounded were seen on every side ; but the Louisiana Brigade 
stiU rushed on, determined to take the battery or die in front of 
it. The Federal guns were loaded and fired with extraordinary 
rapidity, and the wails of agony from men torn to pieces by 
fragments of iron, mingled wUdly with the loud shouts of triumph 
as the troops still continued to press on up the hill. All at once, 
to the raking fire of canister from the Federal artillery was 
added a destructive fire from their infantry. The enemy's 3d 
brigade, under General Tyler, which was posted in the rear 
and on the flanks of the batteries, opened a determined fire, and 
men and officers went down before it in one indiscriminate mass. 
Colonel Hays, of the 7th Louisiana, fell severely wounded. His 
lieutenant-colonel, De Choiseul, was shot through the lungs, and, 
while waving his sword, staggered aad fell insensible, and was 
borne from the field. Of 308 men of the regiment who went 
into the charge, 158 were either killed or wounded. The troops, 
however, continued to rush forward, regardless of peril ; for an 
instant the gun-muzzles belched their iron contents in their faces, 
and then the crest was attained ; with loud cheers the Confeder- 
ates came in contact with the enemy. As the cannoneers turned 
to fly, many were transfixed with the bayonet, the horses were 
shot, and the guns were turned upon the retreating infantry. 

But the struggle was not over. It was absolutely necessary 
for the Federal commander to recover, if possible, the lost ground. 
For that battery to remain in the hands of the Southerners, was 
to lose possession of the ridge — to lose the day — to be defeated, 
and driven from the field. Heavy reenforcements were hurried 



190 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

forward ; a fresh brigade took the place of that which had been 
repulsed, and a gallant charge was made to regain the guns. 
The Louisianians were in turn driven back by the destructive 
fire poured upon them, and the enemy dashed forward and re- 
covered the pieces. But before they could be turned upon them, 
the Confederates again charged, and a second time drove the 
Federal troops from the guns. The battery was thus thi-ee times 
lost and won in the determined effort on the part of the Louisi- 
anians and the best troops of the enemy, concentrated in this 
part of the field, to recover the guns and hold the ridge. Vic- 
tory finally decided for the Confederates. The enemy were 
driven back ; the guns were again turned on them with destruc- 
tive effect, and the Confederate lines continued to advance. 

Taylor had won the position on the ridge, after a heavy loss, 
but he could not hold it, and he could not be reenforced. Gen- 
eral Shields was pressing the Confederate left wing with such 
heavy masses, that all their disposable force was necessary in 
that portion of the field. His heavy reserves were now brought 
up and thrown upon Taylor — a fresh brigade advancing rapidly 
and attacking the latter in flank, while a piece of artillery, which 
had been posted within three hundi'ed and fifty yards, opened a 
galling fire of canister on his front. Under this combined attack 
Taylor was compelled to fall back to the skirt of woods near 
which the captured battery was stationed, and from that point 
continued his fire upon the advancing enemy. They had now 
reenforced their left by Avithdrawing troops from their centre, 
and Taylor was in imminent danger of being outflanked and 
enveloped by the enemy. They made a determined effort to 
turn his left flank, which forced him to fall back ; and in the 
haste of this movement they recaptured one of the gims, though 
without the caisson or limber. But this advantage over Taylor 
had only been gained by dangerously weakening the Federal 
right wing and centre. Winder had now rallied his brigade, 
and, placing the batteries of Poagiie and Chew in position, opened 
a hot fire on the Federal left. The batteries of Brockenbrough, 
Courtney, and Raines were also hurried forward ; and witli 



POET EEPUBLIC. 191 

tliese guns pouring a destructive fire iuto their centre, the Fed- 
eral lines began visibly to waver. 

Jackson saw bis advantage, and now made a corresponding 
movement to that of the Federal commander, rapidly throwing 
his left wing to the support of his right. Colonel Connor's bri- 
gade arrived first, and, thus reenforced, Taylor turned savagely 
upon his assailants and forced them back. This was the deci- 
sive moment of the battle, and Jackson's generalship secured the 
result at which he aimed. The Confederate Hues advanced with 
loud cheers, a roll of musketry extended from end to end of the 
line, and into the Federal right flank was poured a rapid fii-e 
from the artillery of General Winder. Before this hot fire in 
front and flank the Federal lines wavered more and more, and 
soon they were seen to break in disorder. The next moment 
saw them retreating, panic-stricken, from the field, with the Con- 
federate infantry pursuing and firing upon them as they fell 
back. The infantry and artillery continued the pursuit for five 
miles, when the cavahy took it up, continuing to press the rear 
of the retreating column. One piece of artillery, about 800 
muskets, and 450 prisoners were the immediate result of the 
action. General Shields was defeated. 

Whilst the forces of General Shields were thus in fuU I'etreat, 
General Fremont appeared on the northern bank of the Shenan- 
doah, and is said to have been furious at the manner in which 
he had been outwitted and General Shields defeated. The 
bridge over the river had been burned when Trimble and Patton 
retreated ; and as the Shenandoah was greatly swollen, it was 
utterly impossible for General Fremont to come to the assistance 
of his coadjutor. He was compelled to look on while General 
Shields was being defeated ; to witness his rout, and to observe 
every circumstance attending the pursuit. It is to be hoped that 
General Fremont did not dii'ect the artillery fire which now took 
place upon the ambulances fuU of wounded, and the parties of men 
engaged in burying the Federal as well as the Confederate dead. 
The Rev. Mr. Cameron, chaplain of the 1st Maryland regiment, 
was standing: near a row of graves in which the Federal dead 



192 LITE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

were being laid, and, with prayer-book in hand, was reading the 
burial service over them, when General Fremont's artillery 
threw shell into the group, forced the men to drop the dead 
bodies they were carrying to the graves, and Mr. Cameron to 
abandon his religious services. On the next morning General 
Fremont retreated, and Colonel Munford, pushing forward with 
his cavalry to Harrisonburg, captured about 200 men, many of 
them severely wounded, several Federal surgeons, about 200 
arms, many wagons, and a considerable amount of camp equipage 
and medical stores. 

In the battles of Port Republic, Cross Keys, and the skirmish 
in which Ashby fell, the Confederate loss in killed, wounded, and 
missing was 1,096. No estimate was made of the Federal losses, 
but as a defeated force generally loses more heavily than its ad- 
versary, the Federal casualties were probably greater. Jackson 
took 975 prisoners, about 1,000 small-arms, and 7 pieces of 
artillery, with caissons and limbers. One piece of artillery, from 
Poague's battery, was captured and carried off by the enemy. 

The battle of Port Republic was one of the most sanguinary 
of the war. It was fought by Federal troops from the North- 
western States chietly, the best in their army ; and riding over 
the field after the battle, Jackson said : "I never saw so many 
dead in such a small space, in all my life before ! " The slaugh- 
ter was indeed terrible. The Confederate loss in killed and 
wounded was nearly one thousand men — for the losses in the 
preceding engagements were very slight ; the Federal loss was 
probably greater. The Southerners fired low and fatally. A 
Northern correspondent, writing jfrom the hospitals of Front 
Royal, said : " It is a noticeable fact that the majority are 
wounded in the legs or lower part of the body. One of the men 
remarked, ' They fired over our heads at Winchester, but they 
fired under them this time ! ' " Where the obstinate charge upon 
the Federal batteries took place, the ground was strewTi with 
the dead and dying. Thus, in the mere amount of blood that 
was shed, the battle of Port Republic was remarkable and mem- 
orable ; but this is the least of its grounds to be ranked among 



JACKSON IN JUNE, 1662. 193 

the famous conflicts of the late revolution in Vii'ginia. It was 
the final and decisive blovs' struck at the Federal campaign in 
the Valley. It crushed, inexorably, in a few short hours, the 
hopes and aspirations of the two leaders who had so long and 
persistently followed Jackson. It disembarrassed the Confeder- 
ate commander of his adversaries in that direction, and enabled 
him to make his swift march against the right flank of General 
McCleUan on the Chickahominy. 

It was the successful termination of a series of manoeuvres, 
which bear upon their face the unmistakable impress of military 
genius. From the moment when, arriving at the town of Port 
Republic, Jackson determined to retreat no farther, but turn and 
fight, his strategy was admirable. Up to that time, the sharp 
claws of Ashby had drawn blood at every step as he retired ; but 
there the tiger crouched, ready to spring. He only did so when 
the prey was within his reach. The blow delivered at Cross 
Keys was followed by the more decisive affair at Port Republic ; 
and after that sanguinary contest General Fremont had no 
longer the ability to assume an offensive attitude. He retired 
from the conflict, abandoned any further struggle, and his victor 
remained master of the field. Jackson's despatch announcing 
his victory was in the following words : 

Neae Port Kepublic, June 9th, via Staunton, June 10th. 
Through God's blessing, the enetoy near Port Republic was this day routed, 
with the loss of sis pieces of his artillery. 

T. J. JACKSON, Major-General commanding. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

JACKSON IN JUNE, 1862. 

At sunset on the 9th of June, 1862, the campaign of the Val- 
ley had terminated. It had commenced in earnest on the 11th 
of March, when Winchester was evacuated, and ended on the 
day of Port Republic, when Jackson had defeated his adversaries 
and remained in possession of the field. 
13 



194 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

The reader has had the events of the campaign narrated ; 
what now rose above the smoke, dust, and blood of so many 
battle-fields, was, Banks, Shields, ]SIilroy, Fremont, with Blen- 
ker, Sigel, Steinwehr, and other able soldiers defeated, and the 
whole upper Valley regained. In three months Jackson had 
marched 600 miles, fought four pitched battles, seven minor en- 
gagements, and daily skirmishes ; had defeated four armies ; 
captured 7 pieces of artillery, 10,000 stand of arms, 4,000 pris- 
oners, and a very great amount of stores — inflicting upon his ad- 
versaries a known loss of 2,000 men ; with a loss iipon his own 
part comparatively small, and amounting in arms to but one 
piece of artillery abandoned for want of horses, and a small 
number of muskets. 

The military results, in their bearing upon the whole field of 
contest, had been very great. At an important crisis in the 
history of the struggle, Jackson had intervened with his small 
army, and, by his skill, endurance, and enterprise thrown the 
whole programme of the enemy into confusion. Their design of 
combining three heavy columns for an attack upon Richmond 
had been frustrated by his daring advance down the Valley ; all 
the campaign halted for the moment ; and Fremont and Mc- 
Dowell Avere not only crippled for the time, but their dangerous 
adversary was in a condition to unite his forces with those of 
General Johnston, and make that sudden attack on the Chicka- 
hominy which led to such important results. 

Jackson's campaign in the Valley will always attract the at- 
tention of military men, and be studied by them as a great prac- 
tical exposition of the art of making war. The swift and sudden 
marches ; the rapid advances and successful retreats ; the furious 
onslaughts indicating apparent recklessness, and the obstinate 
refusal, on other occasions, to fight, from seeming timidity — these 
communicate to the campaign in question a vivid interest unsur- 
passed in the annals of the entire war. Looking back over the 
almost incessant movements of three months, it is difiicult to dis- 
cover any error in Jackson's operations. "We have shown that 
he attacked at Kernstown from inaccurate information ; but 



JACKSON m JUNE, 1862. 195 

that information was furnished by Ashby, the most enterprising 
and reliable of partisans ; and the result of the battle, as the 
reader has seen, was exactly what Jackson designed. More 
than 25,000 troops were diverted from the attack on Eichmond — 
and this great result had been attained by a force of about 4,000, 
of whom less than 3,000 were engaged. In regard to the suc- 
cess which had attended the remainder of the campaign, there 
could be no difference of opinion. The battle of McDowell per- 
manently checked the advance of General Milroy from the west ; 
the advance upon General Banks drove that commander precipi- 
tately across the Potomac ; and the retreat of Jackson in conse- 
quence of the movements of Fremont and Shields against his 
rear at Strasburg, was a complete success. He brought off all 
his captured stores and prisoners ; outmarched the two columns 
following him ; and finally, by a strategy as successful as it was 
daring, fought them in detail at Cross Keys and Port Republic, 
and defeated both. From that moment Jackson was master of 
the situation, and could look with a grim smile toward his re- 
treating adversaries. 

This campaign made the fame of Jackson as a commander. 
In the operations of March to June, in the Valley, he had dis- 
played his great faculties fully — his far-seeing generalship, his 
prudent boldness, and that indomitable resolution and tenacity 
of purpose which no storm could shake. Under the quiet and 
unpretending exterior was a soul which was not born to bend, 
and a will which broke down every obstacle in the path of its 
possessor. The rumor of his rapid movements and constant 
successes came like a wind from the mountains to the Confed- 
erate capital, and infused fresh life into the languid pulses and 
desponding hearts of the people. This will be remembered by 
many readers of these pages. The performer of these great 
achievements began to be looked upon as the " Man of Fate," 
whose mission was to overthrow all Federal generals who were 
opposed to him. His military traits were the common talk and 
f Jmiration ; his astonishing equanimity in the face of peril ; his 
cool determination not to yield ; his refusal to entertain the idea 



19G • LIFE OF 8T0NEWALL JACKSON. 

that he could be defeated ; and the belief that, with his men, he 
could go anywhere and achieve any thing. The South had found 
a military hero in the quiet soldier who concealed under his face 
of bronze such wonderful faculties. In June, 1862, Jackson 
was already the idol of the popular heart ; and this was the 
result of his campaign in the Valley. 

The fate of that region was now settled for the time, and the 
victor of Port Republic was called upon to enter, without paus- 
ing, upon another struggle, on a new arena. The Valley was 
exhausted ; every portion of its highways and by-ways had been 
trodden by the " Foot Cavalry," until they knew and attached 
sad or pleasant recollections — memories of fatigue and suffering, 
or of rest and refreshment — to every stone, and bank, and 
spreading tree upon the roadside ; * the mountains must now be 
left behind, and the army must set out for fresh fields of combat 
in the lowland. Before proceeding with our narrative, however, 
we shall give a brief outline of Jackson as he appeared at this 
time, all covered with the dust of the arena upon which the 
famous athlete had overthrown Banks, Fremont, and their asso- 
ciates. The popular idea of a general is a finely-dressed indi- 
vidual, covered with braid, mounted upon a prancing charger, 
and followed by a numerous and glittering staff. The personal 
appearance and equipments of Jackson were in entire contrast 
to this popular fancy. He wore, at this time, an old sun-em- 
browned coat of gray cloth, originally a very plain one, and now 
almost out at elbows. To call it sun-embrowned, however, is 
scarcely to convey an adequate idea of the extent of its dis- 
coloration. It had that dingy hue, the result of exposure to 
rain and snow and scorching sunshine which is so unmistakable. 
It was plain that the General had often stretched his Aveary 

* So numerous were Jackson's marches backward and forward over the 
Valley turnpike, that his men came to know, and would afterwards recognize 
the most insignificant objects. " There is the very stone I sat down on in 
May, '02," said one of his old brigade with whom the writer rode over this 
ground ; and, going a little further, he added : " I remember perfectly lying 
down under that tree yonder." 



JACKSON IN JUNE, 1862. 19Y 

form upon the bare ground, and slept in the old coat ; and it 
seemed to have brought away with it no little of the dust of the 
Valley. A holiday soldier would have disdained to wear such 
a garb ; but the men of the Stonewall Brigade, with their com- 
rades, loved that coat, and admired it and its owner more than 
all the holiday uniforms and holiday warriors in the world. The 
I'emainder of the General's costume was as much discolored as the 
coat ; he wore cavalry boots reaching to the knee, and his head 
was surmounted by an old cap, more faded than all ; the sun had 
turned it quite yellow, indeed, and it tilted forward so far over 
the wearer's forehead, that he was compelled to raise his chin in 
the air in order to look under the rim. His horse was not a 
''fiery steed," pawing, and ready to dart forward at "thunder 
of the captains and the shouting," but an old raw-boned sorrel, 
gaunt and grim — a horse of astonishing equanimity, who seemed 
to give himself no concern on any subject — would quietly lie 
down to doze in the pauses of the firing, and calmly moved 
about, like his master, careless of cannon-ball or bullet, in the 
hottest moments of battle. 

The General rode in a peculiar fashion, leaning forward 
somewhat, and apparently unconscious that he was in the sad- 
dle. His air was singularly abstracted ; and, unless aware of 
his identity, no beholder would have dreamed that this plaialy- 
clad and absent-looking soldier was the leader of a Corps 
d'Armee. The glittering eye beneath the yellow cap would 
have altered somewhat the impression that this man was " a 
nobody ; " but beyond this there was absolutely nothing in the 
appearance of General Jackson to indicate his great rank or 
genius as a soldier. 

Such was the outward man of the General, as he appeared 
soon after the campaign of the Valley ; and this plainness of 
exterior had in no small degi-ee endeared him to his soldiers. 
His habits were still greater claims on the respect and regard 
of the best men of his command. He was known to be wholly 
free from all those vices which are the peculiar temptation of a 
military life." He lived as plainly as his men, and shared all 



108 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

their hardships, never for a moment acting upon the hypothesis 
that his rank entitled him to any luxury or comfort which they 
could not share. His food was plain and simple ; his tent, when 
he had one, which was seldom, no better than those of the men ; 
he would wrap himself in his blankets and lie down under a 
tree or in a fence corner, with perfect content, and apparently 
from preference ; for to fight hard and live hard seemed to be 
his theory of war. He rarely allowed passion to conquer him ; 
when he yielded, it AvaB on exciting occasions, and when great 
designs were thwarted by negligence or incapacity on the part 
of those to whom their execution was intrusted. Such occasions 
seldom occurred, and Jackson's habitual temper of mind w^as a 
gentle and childlike sweetness ; a simplicity and purity of heart, 
which proved that he had indeed become " as a little child," 
Avalking humbly and devoutly before his God. Prayer was like 
breathing with him — the normal condition of his being. Every 
morning he read his Bible and prayed ; ' and the writer will not 
soon forget the picture drawn by one of his distinguished asso- 
ciates, who rode to liis headquarters at daylight in November, 
1862, when the army was falling back to Fredericksburg from 
the Valley, and found him reading his Testament, quietly in his 
tent — an occupation which he only interrupted to describe, in 
tones of quiet simplicity, his intended movements to foil the 
enemy. Before sitting down to table, he raised both hands and 
said grace. When he contemplated any movement, his old ser- 
vant is said to have always known it by his " wrestling in 
prayer " for many hours of the night ; and on the battle-field 
thousands noticed the singular gesture with the right arm, 
sometimes both arms, raised aloft. Those who looked closely 
at him at such moments saw his lips moving in prayer. 

This, however, is not the place for a personal delineation of 
Jackson, which is reserved for a subsequent page. Our desire 
iu presenting the foregoing brief sketch was to place before tl>e 
reader's eye, so to speak, the figure of the chief actor in the 
stirring scenes Avhich we now approach. The present writer 



JACKSON IN JUNE, 18C2. 199 



first saw General Jackson on the field of Cold Harbor, and the 
above is a correct transcript of his appearance. 

It seemed hard to realize that the plainly-dressed, awkward- 
looking person, on the gaunt sorrel horse, with the faded cap and 
the abstracted air, was the soldier who had foiled every adver- 
sary, and won at Port Eepublic those laurels which time cannot 
wither. 



PART III. 

FROM POET REPUBLIC TO CHANCELLORSVILLE. 



CHAPTER I. 

"GElirERAL T. J. JACKSON, SOMEWHERE." 

In the latter part of June, 1862, the writer of these pages 
was intrusted, for delivery to a confidential messenger, with a 
despatch addressed " General T. J. Jackson, somewhere." 

" Somewhere" was at that moment, as it had been on many 
other occasions, the only known address of the rapidly-moving 
and reticent commander of the Army of the Valley. When he 
was executing one of his great movements, his operations were 
conducted with such secrecy that the troops used to say, " Jack- 
son is lost." Let us tell how he became " lost" upon this occa- 
sion, and how he reached the unknown address of " somewhere." 

The battle of Port Republic was fought on the 9th of June, 
and on the 12th Jackson recrossed South River and encamped 
near Weyer's Cave. " For the purpose of rendering thanks to 
God for having crowned our arms with success," h^ says in his 
report, " and to implore His continual favor, divine seiwice was 
held in the army on the l-lth." 

The troops were resting ; Jackson was di'camiug of an ad- 
vance into Pennsylvania. We have said that, in spite of his dis- 



"general T. J. JACKSON, SOMEWHEEE." 201 

appointment in the autumn of 1861, the project of invading the 
North recurred to him after every great success of the Southern 
army ; and a remarkable proof of the truth of this statement 
was at this time presented. So strong was his feeling on the 
subject now, that he, the most reticent and cautious of com- 
manders, could not withhold some intimation of his views. To 
a confidential friend, on whose prudence he knew he could rely, 
he said at this time : " If they will only give me 60,000 men 
now, I will go right on to Pennsylvania. I will not go down 
the Valley ; I do not wish the people there to be harassed. I 
will go with 40,000 if the President wUl give them to me, and my 
route will be along east of the Blue Ridge. I ought not to have 
told even you that ; but in two weeks I could be at Harrisburg." 
The route here indicated was nearly identical with that which 
General Lee afterward followed in advancing to Gettysburg. 
It is left to the military student to determine whether a column 
of 40,000 men penetrating toward the heart of the North, and 
threatening Washington, would not have induced a withdrawal 
of the forces before Richmond for the defence of the Federal 
capital. But this policy, if it was urged upon the Confederate 
authorities, was not adopted. It was determined to concentrate 
all the troops near Richmond for a sudden attack upon General 
McClellan, and the movements looking to this object had already 
begun. On the 11th of June Whiting's division was embarked 
on the cars of the DanviUe Railroad at Richmond, and moved 
across the James to Manchester, opposite Belle Isle, where, at 
that moment, a large number of Federal prisoners were confined, 
but about to be released. The train remained opposite the island 
until the forenoon of the next day ; and the public were much 
exercised upon the subject of this extraordinary blunder, as the 
Federal prisoners about to be sent down the river would unques- 
tionably inform General McClellan of this reenforcement of 
Jackson. The train at last departed, however, and the troops 
reached Lynchburg, where they remained untU the 15th, when 
they were moved to Charlottesville, and thence on the 18th to 
Staunton. On the 20th they were moved back to Charlottesville, 



202 LITE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

Jackson was already in motion. All this marching and 
countermarching had its object. It deceived the enemy, who 
believed tliat the Valley was alive with troops moving to and 
fro, and preparing for a great advance down the Valley in pur- 
suit of Shields and Fremont. Attention was thus entirely di- 
verted from Eichmond, where the real blow was to be struck. 

Jackson omitted, on this occasion, none of those precautions 
which so greatly contributed to the success of his movements, 
and which justly entitle him to be characterized as the general 
who " never made a mistake." He commenced by blinding 
those around him. His engineers were directed to prepare im- 
mediately a series of maps of the Valley ; and all who acquired 
a knowledge of this carefully di-soilged order, told their friends 
in confidence that Jackson was going at once in pxirsuit of Fre- 
mont. As those friends told their friends without loss of time, 
it was soon the well-settled conviction of everybody that nothing 
was further from Jackson's intentions than an evacuation of the 
VaUey. Having deceived his friends, the Confederate general 
proceeded to blind his enemies. 

On the 16th of June he sent a note to Colonel Munford, Avho 
had succeeded Ashby in command of the cavalry, and held the 
front toward Harrisonburg, to " meet him at eleven that night 
at the head of the street at Mount Crawford, and not to ask for 
him or anybody." * Mount Crawford is a small village on the 

* Colonel Munford had already received the following instructions : 

Near Mount Meridian, June 13th, 1862. 

Colonel : It is important to cut off all communications between us and 
the enemy. Please require the ambulances to go beyond our linos at once, 
and press our hnes forward as far as practicable. It is desirable that we 
should have New Market, and that no information should pass to the enemy. 
I expect soon to let you have two more companies of cavalry for the Army of 
the Northwest. I will not be able to leave here to-day, and possibly not for 
some time, so you must look out for the safety of your train. Please imprest 
the hearers of tliejlag of truce as much as possible with an idea of a heavy ad- 
vance on our part, and let them return under such impression. Whilst it is 
desirable for us to have New Market, yet you must judge of the practicability. 
The only true rule for cavalry, is to follow as long as the enemy retreats ; bo- 



"general T. J. JACKSON, SOMEWHERE." 203 

Valley turnpike, about eiglit or ten miles from Port Republic, 
and the same distance from Harrisonburg. Colonel Munford 
received the note, set out alone, and, at the appointed hour, en- 
tered Mount Crawford, which, at that late hour of the night, 
looked dark and deserted. The moon was shining, however ; 
and at the head of the street, in the middle of the highway, a 
solitary figure on horseback awaited him, motionless, and in 
silence. The hand of the figure went to his cap, and in the curt 
and familiar tones of Jackson came the words : 

" Ah, colonel, here you are. "What news from the front ? " 

" All quiet, general," replied Colonel Munford. 

" Good ! Now I wish you to produce upon the enemy the 
impression that I am going to advance." 

And Jackson then gave his orders in detail, after which 
the figures parted and went different ways — Jackson back to 
Port Republic, Colonel Munford to Harrisonburg. The follow- 
ing is the m-anner in which Colonel Munford carried out his 
orders : 

At Harrisonburg were a number of Federal surgeons, who had 
come with twenty-five or thirty ambulances to carry away the 
wounded officers and men who had been abandoned at that point 
by General Fremont in his retreat. These were informed by Colo- 
nel Munford, that before he could give them permission to do so, 
he must ascertain the wishes of General Jackson ; and with this 
reply he left them, to carry out the rest of the scheme. There 
was attached to his command, as an independent, a well-known 
gentleman of that region named William Gilmer ; and to this 
gentleman, ever ready for a good practical joke, was intrusted 

yond that, of course, you can, under present circumstances, do little or nothing ; 
but every mile you advance will probably give you additional prisoners, and 
especially as far as New Market, where you will get command of the road 
from Kernstown and Columbia bridge. I congratulate you upon your continued 
success. Eespectfully, your obedient servant, 

T. J. Jackson, Maj.-Gen, 

P. S. Press our lines as far as you otherwise would have done, before the 
flag of truce is permitted to pass them. T. J. J. 



204: LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

the execution of the plot. The Federal surgeons occupied an 
apartment next to the room used by Colonel Munford for his 
headquarters, and only a thin partition divided them. Every 
word uttered in one room could be heard in the other ; and this 
fact was well known to Colonel Munford, who gave Mr. Gil- 
mer his instructions in a loud tone, despatched him apparently 
to General Jackson, and then awaited the issue of his scheme. 

Some hours having elapsed since they had been assured that 
General Jackson's wishes would be ascertained, the surgeons 
all at once heard a courier mounting the stairs, his spurs and 
sabre clanking as he ascended. They moved quickly to the 
partition, and placed their ears close to the cracks — as it was 
expected they would. The courier entered ; the surgeons bent 
lower, and determined not to lose a word. 

" "Well," said Colonel Munford, in a voice which he knew 
could be heard, " what does General Jackson say?" 

" He told me to tell you," replied Mr. Gilmer, in his loud and 
sonorous voice, " that the wounded Yankees are not to be taken 
away ; and the surgeons are to be sent back, with the message 
that he can take care of theii* wounded men in his o^vn hospitals. 
He is coming right on, himself, with hea\'y rcenforcements. 
Whiting's division is up ; Hood's is coming. The whole road 
from here to Staunton is perfectly lined with troops, and so 
crowded that I could hardly ride along ! " 

Such was the highly important dialogue which the Federal 
surgeons, listening with breathless attention, overheard. When 
Colonel Munford sent for them, every man was on the other side 
of the room from the partition. They were ushered in, and 
briefly informed that they could return with their ambulances ; 
General Jackson had instructed him to say that their wounded 
would be cai'ed for in the Confederate hospitals. 

The surgeons returned without delay, communicated the im- 
portant intelligence which they had overheard to General Fre- 
mont, and that night the whole Federal army fell back to 
Strasburg, where they began to intrench against the anticipated 
attack. 




(Q^m&mmi^^L JOMK!- tB. 



llewTodcD.Ai 



"GENEE^Ii T. J. JACKSON, 80MEWHEKE." 205 

Jackson was meanwliile on his way to the Chickahominy. 
Such were the results of the nocturnal interview at Mount Craw- 
ford. Extraordinary precautions were used to conceal the in- 
tended route of the troops. The men were forbidden even to 
ask the names of the villages through which they passed ; and 
orders were issued, that to all questions they should make but one 
response : " I do not know." " This was just as much license 
as the men wanted," says an eye-witness, " and they forthwith 
knew nothing of the past, present, or future." An amusing inci- 
dent grew out of this order. One of Hood's men left the ranks 
on the march, and was climbing a fence to go to a cherry-tree 
in a field near at hand, when Jackson rode by and saw him. 
jb a "VHiere are you going?" asked the General. 

"I don't know," replied the soldier. 

" To what command do you belong?" 

" I don't know." 

" Well, what State are you from ? " 

" I don't know." 

" What is the meaning of all this ? " asked Jackson of another. 

" Well," was the reply, " Old Stonewall and General Plood 
issued orders yesterday, that we were not to know any thing 
until after the next fight." Jackson laughed, and rode on. The 
troops had been moved for the greater part of the way by rail- 
road ; but at Frederick Hall, above Hanover Junction, they were 
disembarked, and " moved in as many columns as there were 
roads ; and for the want of roads, we sometimes marched through 
fields and woods." 

On the morning of the 25th of June, the corps was rapidly 
" closing up," and approaching Ashland. Jackson had gone on 
in advance, and, riding through Richmond, visited the head- 
quarters of General Lee, on the Nine-Mile road. Some one 
recognized him as he passed, incognito, through the city, and 
spoke of his presence ; but so thoroughly had the entire move- 
ment been concealed, that the inquisitive personage was told 
that his statement was all nonsense, as General Jackson was 
then beyond the Blue Ridge. 



206 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

Having ascertained the views of the commanding general in 
detail, Jackson disappeared as quietly as he came, and again 
took the head of his advancing column. 

" Somewhere," was the neighborhood of Ashland, upon the 
Fredericksburg Railroad, about sixteen miles from Richmond. 



CHAPTER II. 

ON THE CHICKAHOMINT. 

Buried in the tangled undergrowth on the shore of the 
Chickahominy, the Fedei'al army had no suspicion of the heavy 
blow about to be struck at them. 

General McClellan was now within a few miles of Richmond, 
at the head of the most numerous and best equipped army that 
had ever assembled on American soil. Every resource of the 
Federal Government had been taxed to the utmost, to render 
it overwhelming in numbers, and invincible in all the appliances 
of war. More than 150,000 troops were encamped on the banks 
of the Chickahominy, and the arsenals and machine-shops of the 
North had left nothing to be desired in their armament and equip- 
ment for the great struggle before them. They were armed 
with excellent rifle-muskets, and the cavalry with revolvers, re- 
peating rifles, and carbines of the best pattern. To this admira- 
ble armament were added about 400 pieces of artillery, ranging 
from the 30-pound Parrott to the Navy howitzer. Such were 
the military equipments of the force ; the appliances for personal 
comfort were as excellent. No trouble had been spared to make 
the troops contented ; and that profusion of delicacies Avhich had 
attracted the attention of the hungry Confederates at Manassas, 
was to greet their eyes again in the abandoned camps on the 
plains of New Kent and Henrico. 

The Federal troops seem to have regarded their position as 
unassailable — and not without show of reason. In front of tlieir 



ON THE CHICKAHOMINY. 207 

main body were the impassable swamps of the Chickahominy, 
and on each side, the Pamunkey and the James enabled their gun 
boats, mounted with artiUeiy of the heaviest calibre, to guard the 
approaches to their flank. In their rear was the Wliite House, 
where the largest steamers came to unload warlike stores or 
camp delicacies ; and from this point the York River Railroad 
ran straight to the centre of the great camp, bringing tlius to the 
very tents all which the cities of the North could afford for the 
comfort or equipment of the troops. 

Over this large army, as we have seen, was placed the 
ablest and most accomplished soldier whom the North had yet 
produced ; and the Federal authorities confidently expected to 
defeat Lee and capture Richmond. 

Let us look back at the ground upon which this bitter and 
determined conflict was now to take place. The Chickahominy 
is a narrow and sluggish stream, which, rising northwest of 
Richmond, runs in a southeastern direction, and, holding its 
course down the Peninsula, heads to the south and empties into 
James River some distance above Williamsburg. Its banks 
are swampy, and overgrown with forest trees and heavy under- 
wood, rendering the ground almost impassable. Through these 
tangled swamps, narrow and winding roads of oozy turf, on 
dark and miry clay, afford a difficult and uncertain means of 
transit from point to point. These mysterious depths are stiU 
tenanted by the fallow deer ; and from the shadowy recesses, 
dim with trailing vines, comes the sorrowful and plaintive cry 
of the whip-poor-will. It was truly one of the strangest freaks of 
Fate, that these Pontine marshes, tenanted only by wild animals, 
strange reptiles, and the solitary whip-poor-will and screech-owl, 
should be destined to become the theatre of conflict between tens 
of thousands of human beings, who in all the wide land could 
find no other arena for combat. 

Taking Richmond as a central point, the course of the Chick- 
ahominy described something like the arc of a circle around it to 
the north and east. At Meadow Bridge, where the outposts of 
the enemy's right wing were established, the stream is but six 



208 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

miles distant from the capital ; at New Bridge, on the Nine- 
Mile road, which led toward General McClellan's centre, the 
distance is nine miles. The avenues of approach from the 
Chickahominy, the arc, to Richmond, the centre of the circle, 
were — commencing on the north and travelling down the stream 
— the Fredericksburg Railroad, the Brook turnpike, the Meadow 
Bridge road, the Central Railroad, crossing at Meadow Bridge, 
the Mechanicsville turnpike, the Nine-Mile or New Bridge 
road, the York River Railroad, the Williamsburg turnpike, the 
Charles City road, and the Darby town road. 

The Federal right Avas posted, as we have said, near Meadow 
Bridge, and his line swept along the left bank of the Chickahom- 
iny, by Mechanicsville and Beaver-Dam Creek, to Powhite 
Swamp, where it crossed the stream and extended beyond the 
York River Railroad ; his left resting on the Williamsburg or 
Bottom's Bridge road, at " Seven Pines," about five miles from 
Richmond. The Federal line thus formed a species of crescent, 
ten or fifteen miles in length ; the Meadow Bridge road con- 
necting Richmond with the northern tip, the Williamsburg road 
with the southern, and the Nine-MUe or New Bridge road run- 
ning nearly straight to the centre. This formidable line of battle 
was heavily fortified — at Mechanicsville, Powhite, and Seven 
Pines especially, where every knoll was crowned Avith almost im- 
pregnable breastworks of earth and trunks of trees, with the 
boughs lopped off and sharpened, and in front of these works 
a bristling abatis of felled timber rendered access almost 
impossible. The works were mounted with rifled artillery, and 
every avenue completely commanded by the grim muzzles ready 
to sweep the approaches with a hmTicane of shot and shell. 
For many weeks after the battle, the frowning fortifications ex- 
tending on both sides of the York River road, excited the aston- 
ishment of the citizens who visited them. But beyond the 
Chickahominy, on the hills above Mechanicsville and Gaines' 
MUl, the Federal works were stiU more formidable, and required, 
indeed, for their capture, the utmost exertions of the men of Hill 
and Longstreet and Jackson, charging hour after hour, in the 



ON THE CHICKAHOMINT. 209 

face of a fire which has seldom been surpassed for destructive 
violence in all the annals of war. 

Such was the position of the Federal forces on the last day 
of May, when General Johnston struck at their left wing, sta- 
tioned near " Seven Pines," and paralyzed for the moment the 
advance which General McClellan designed at that time upon 
Eichmond. Their left was driven from the field, and their camps 
and artillery captured ; but on the right they still maintained 
their ground, and were thus enabled to claim a drawn battle, in 
spite of the repulse on the Federal left. 

This battle was hotly contested, and a private letter from a 
member of the New York artillery, in the Cincinnati Commer- 
cial, soon afterwards, thus described the scene : 

" Our shot tore their ranks wide open," says the Northern 
writer, " and shattered them asunder in a manner that was 
frightful to witness ; but they closed up at once, and came on as 
Bteadily as English veterans. "When they got within four hun- 
dred yards, we closed our case shot and opened on them with 
canister ; and such destruction I never elsewhere witnessed. At 
each discharge great gaps were made in their ranks — indeed, 
whole companies went down before that murderous fire — ^but 
they closed up with an order and discipline that was awe-inspir- 
ing. * * * It -was awful to see their ranks, torn and shat- 
tered by every discharge of canister that we poured right into 
their faces, and while their dead and dying lay in piles, closed 
up and still kept advancing right in face of the fire. At one 
time, three lines, one behind the other, were steadily advancing, 
and three of their flags were brought in range of one of our 
guns shotted with canister. Fire ! shouted the gunner, and 
down went those three flags, and a gap was opened through 
those three lines as if a thunderbolt had torn through them, and 
their dead lay in swaths. But they at once closed up and came 
steadily on, never halting or wavei'iug, right through the woods, 
over the fence, through the field, right up to our guns, and, 
sweeping every thing before them, captured every piece. * * Our 
whole division was cut to pieces, with what loss I do not know." 
14 



210 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

The battle of " Seven Pines " was indecisive, as on the third 
day the Confederate forces fell back, and the Federal lines re- 
sumed their former position ; and the Confederate cause sus- 
tained a serious loss in the wound received by General Johnston 
from a fragment of shell which struck him as he was reconnoi- 
tring with General Stuart near Fair Oaks, upon the left. He 
was succeeded by General Robert E. Lee, who now prepared 
for a general attack upon the Federal lines with the whole Con- 
federate force then in front of Richmond. 

General Lee was at this time about fifty years of age, and in 
the ripe vigor of his faculties. He was a Virginian by birth, the 
son of Colonel Henry Lee, surnamed " Light^Horse Harry," 
and, like his father, had been a cavalry officer. He had accom- 
panied Lieutenant-General Scott to Mexico, where he is said to 
have planned the entire campaign ; and that officer's opinion of 
his military abilities was known to be very high. In person, 
General Lee was tall and vigorously knit, his countenance was 
still remarkable for its personal beauty, his eyes were clear and 
benignant, but suddenly blazed when he grew excited, and his 
hair, beard, and mustache were gray. It was impossible to be 
in this officer's presence, and to note his air of self-poised strength 
and repose, without feeling that he was a person of great elevar 
tion of character and of broad and commanding intellect. He 
had, at that time, won little popular fame, but had made a deep 
impression upon some of the first men of the country. Those 
who knew him best, loved and respected him the most ; and he 
was, indeed, a truthful tj-pe of the old Virginia cavalier. His 
manners were courteous but reserved, his voice deep and pleas- 
ant, his bearing characterized by a supreme repose which few 
human things seemed able to shake. Deeply sensible, appa- 
rently, of the great responsibility resting upon his shoulders, he 
was Avithout gayety or abandon ; but he had by nature a dry, 
quaint humor, which sometimes came out in private, and made 
him chai-ming. What chiefly impressed a stranger was the 
noble simplicity of General Lee's demeanor, the air of proud 
courtesy which at other times distinguished him, and the latent 



ON THE CHICKAHOMINT. 211 

fire of an eye whidi could be soft or fiery. It was impossible to 
know bim and not love him — for be was the soul of kindness, the 
flower of chivalry and honor. His stately figure brought to mind 
the old race of Virginians ; and in prosperity or adversity, in vic- 
tory or defeat, it was plain that this noble spirit was sufficient for 
itself, looking to a greater power than man's for support. 

He was said to have been greatly attached to the flag under 
which he had so long fought, and to have resigned his commis- 
sion in the United States Army only at the imperative call of 
his native State. But, once embarked in the Southern struggle, 
he had cast no look backward, and entered upon the war with 
all the vigor of feeling and conviction combined. Above the 
temptations of military ambition, as he was superior to the 
thought of mercenary advantage, he had indulged, it is said, the 
hope that the struggle might soon end, without bloodshed almost ; 
and so well known was this sentiment, that many Southern 
jonrnals sneered at him as a leader too soft and unwarlike for 
the stormy epoch in which he appeared. They did not know the 
great resoui'ces and imperial resolution of the man who con- 
cealed beneath his sweetness and repose of manner one of those 
powerful organizations which mould with an iron hand the des- 
tinies of nations. 

In military affairs, the most notable traits of this officer were 
broad comprehension and great powers of combination. The 
movements of his mind were cautious and deliberate, and he 
liked best to initiate great campaigns and move large bodies 
over a wide arena — to manoeuvre with armies, rather than de- 
tachments. Averse, like Johnston, to aflTairs of the outpost, and 
unnecessary bloodshed on any occasion, he husbanded his 
strength for decisive movements, and preferred to fight pitched 
battles rather than skirmishes. The world called him slow, and 
compared his movements unfavorably with those of Jackson ; 
but Jackson left on record his own opinion of the man, when 
he said to an intimate friend, after the battle of Malvern Hill : 

" General Lee is not slow. No one knows the weight upon 
his heart — his great responsibilities. He is commander-in-chief, 



212 LITE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

and he knows that, if an army is lost, it cannot be replaced. No ! 
there may be some persons whose good opinion of me will make 
them attach some weight to my views ; and if you ever hear that 
said of General Lee, I beg you will contradict it in my name. 
I have known General Lee for five-and-twenty years ; he is 
cautious ; he ought to be. But he is not ' slow.' Lee is a 
phenomenon. He is the only man whom I would follow blind- 
fold ! " 

Such was the man who now took command of the Confeder- 
ate forces, and prepared to play the gi'eat game against McClellau. 
To assail the Federal forces to advantage, it was obviously 
the best policy to strike at one of their flanks, and crush that 
wing before the other could cross the Chickahominy and come 
to its support. General Stuart suggested an attack upon the 
Federal left flank, which, in the event of his defeat, would have 
prevented his retreat to his gunboats on James River ; but 
General Lee decided, finally, upon assailing his right wing, be- 
yond the Chickahominy, and outflanking his right at the same 
moment, if the fortifications in that direction were such as to 
encourage the latter movement. 

To ascertain the character of these defences on the enemy's 
right flank, and obtain information as to his strength and posi- 
tion. General J. E. B. Stuart was directed to make a reconnois- 
sance with cavalry in that direction, and proceed, if possible, as 
far as Old Church, when his further movements would be regula- 
ted by circumstances. This officer, whom we have met with in the 
Valley, had now been promoted to the rank of brigadier-general, 
and had become the chief cavalry leader of the Ayar. His opera- 
tions in front of the enemy, toward Arlington Heights, and 
afterwards in covering the rear of the Army of the Potomac as 
General Johnston fell back from Centreville, had gained for him 
a high reputation, and this had been increased by operations in 
the Peninsula. His regiment had grown into a brigade, with 
such accomplished regimental commanders as Colonel Fitz Lee, 
Colonel Martin, Colonel W. H. F. Lee, and others ; and with 



ON THE CHICKAHOMINY. 213 

about 1,500 men, General Stuart set out about the middle of 
June on bis reconnoissance. 

The "Ride around McClellan" was long remembered, not 
only by those who took part in it, but by the entire people, who 
were delighted with its audacity and pleased with the annoyance 
which it caused the enemy. Stuart passed through Hanover 
Court-House, driving away a picket force ; charged and routed a 
squadi-on under Captain Royal, near Old Church, burned their 
camp and several transports on the Pamunkey, destroyed large 
wagon-trains, captured many prisoners, and, having marched 
entirely around General McClellan's army, built a bridge over 
the swollen current of the Chickahominy, far below, and safely 
crossed into Charles City, just as the Federal cavaby and 
artUlery thundered down upon his rear. This expedition at a 
moment so important, excited general attention, and the Empe- 
ror Napoleon is said to have traced out Stuart's route upon the 
map with deep interest, but the information obtained was more 
important than the applause of citizens or soldiers. Stuart had 
completely succeeded in his object. The discovery had been 
made that the Tottapotamoi, a stream running across the Fed- 
eral right flank, was wholly undefended, a movement in that 
direction efntirely practicable, and a blow at General McClellan's 
rear, from the quarter of Cold Harbor, almost certain to prove 
fatal, if accompanied by an assault in fi-ont. 

The result of this reconnoissance decided General Lee, if his 
resolution Avas not already taken ; and General Jackson was 
promptly directed to move his corps to the Chickahominy, for 
an attack on the enemy in flank and reverse near Cold Harbor. 

We have seen how he came at the summons, and on the 
25th of June reached Ashland, abotit sixteen miles from Rich- 
mond. 



214 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

CHAPTER m. 

COLD HAKBOR. 

On the morning of the 26th of June, the great drama com- 
menced. For seven long days and nights its tragic scenes werL' 
to be unfolded on the banks of the Chickahominy. For weeks, 
the sluggish waters had stolen away between the rush-clad mar- 
gins, and no sound but the melancholy cry of the Avhip-poor-will, 
or the hum of the Federal camps, had disturbed the sultry nights 
of June. Now the dreary silence had given way to the uproar 
of battle. In the midst of dust, and smoke, and blood, the cries 
of the wounded, and the groans of the dying, with the thunder 
and lightning of artillery and • small-arms, mingled in one great 
diabolical solo, the days were to dawn, reach their noon, and 
sink into the black and woeful night, in whose sombre depths 
were buried so many hopeless moans of anguish and despair. 

When the movement of General Lee commenced, the divi- 
sions of Magruder and Huger, supported by those of Longstreet 
and D. H. Hill, were in fi'ont of the powerfial Federal works on 
the York River Railroad and Williamsburg road, directly east 
of the city. The division of A. P. Hill extended from Magru- 
der's left, up the southern bank of the Chickahominy, Branch's 
brigade occupying the point where the Brooke turnpike inter- 
sects the stream. Jackson, with his own, Ewell's, and Whit- 
ing!s divisions, was on the march from Ashland, steadily sweep- 
ing down to his appointed work. 

General Lee's plan possessed the simplicity of genius. Be- 
fore any movement could be made against the Federal forces 
beyond the Chickahominy, it was necessary to carry their pow- 
erful advanced positions at MechanicsviUe, and on Beaver-Dam 
Creek just below, so as to uncover the MechanicsviUe bridge. 
These works Lee determined to turn with the column of Jack- 
son, while A. P. Hill assailed them in front. Hill was ac- 



COLD HAEBOE. 215 

cordiugly ordered, as soon as Jackson passed beyond Meadow 
Bridge, to throw his division across at that point ; to advance 
upon Mechanicsville, attack the position, and uncover the bridge, 
when I). H. Hill would cross and join Jackson, and Long- 
street recnforce A. P. HUl — Magruder and Huger remaining 
on the southern side in front of the enemy's left, with orders to 
hold their ground, whatever force was brought against them. 
The mair body — Jackson, D. H. Hill, A. P. Hill, and Long- 
street — ^was then to sweep down the northern bank of the Chick- 
ahominy in echelon of divisions, Jackson on the left and in the ad- 
vance, and Longstreet next to the stream — ^threaten the Federal 
depots at the White Houoc, and their line of communication, the 
York River Railroad ; force them to come out of their intrench- 
ments and fight — or retreat, and give up their position. By this 
plan of battle the enemy would be attacked beyond the Cliicka- 
hominy before he could tlirow his left wing, near Seven Pines, 
across to the assistance of his right. The programme of opera- 
tions involved desperate fighting for the possession of Mechan- 
icsville, where a large body of the troops must cross ; but with 
that point once secured, the movements which were to follow 
promised, as far as the human eye could see, to result in the 
success of the Confederate arms. The Federal right wing and 
centre would be assailed in front and flank at the same moment ; 
and the defective communications between the northern and 
southern banks of the Chickahominy threatened General Mc- 
Clellau with utter defeat before his left could come up to take 
part in the action 

On the 26th, as we have said above, the great gladiators 
were face to face, and the struggle began. Brigadier-General 
Branch crossed the Chickahominy high up, where it is crossed 
by the Brooke turnpike, and moved down the left bank to form 
a junction with General A. P. Hill, who crossed at Mead- 
ow Bridge about three p. M. Branch did not arrive in time to 
join Hill, who advanced upon Mechanicsville, and attacked the 
Federal position there with stubborn resolution. The engage- 
ment which ensued was resolute and bloody ; the Confederate 



210 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

troops returning time after time to the assault. The Federal 
forces defended themselves with desperation, but were driven 
from all their positions, retreating rapidly ; and the way having 
thus been cleared for the passage of Longstreet and D. H. Hill, 
their divisions were promptly thrown across. 

Meantime, General A. P. Hill had pressed on, upon the 
track of the retreating enemy, and about a mile below Mcchau- 
Icsville found himself in front of a new and far more formidable 
series of works on the left bank of Beaver-Dam Creek, which 
empties near this point into the Chickahominy. The Federal 
position here was almost impregnable to an assault in front. 
The banks of the stream occupied by the works were abrupt, 
almost perpendicular ; the ground in front was open and com- 
pletely swept by their numerous artillery ; and to still further dis- 
courage assault, they had felled the trees, destroyed the bridges, 
and honeycombed every point with rifle-pits. 

Tiie most obstinate and determined efforts were made to 
drive the Federal forces from their strong position, and heavy 
firing was kept up with artillery until nine o'clock at night. The 
attack was resumed at dawn, and the Southern troops made 
every effort to overcome the fatal obstructions. Forcing a pas- 
sage across the ground in front, under a heavy fire of artillery, 
they reached the banks of the stream, but the character of the 
gi'ound made a successful assault of the works in front impos- 
sible. An attempt was about to be made to cross lower down, 
and attack the Federal left flank, when suddenly they retired in 
haste from their strong position, and, leaving every thing in 
flames, retreated rapidly down the stream. Jackson had crossed 
Beaver-Dam Creek, turned their right flank, and forced them to 
retire. 

Jackson had moved as rapidly as the crowding obstructions 
in the roads would permit on the Icfl of A. P. Hill, making for 
the York River Railroad. He advanced with Whiting's division 
in front, preceded and guarded on his left flank by the cavalry 
under Stuart. At Tottapotamoi Creek, a sluggish stream, with 
abrupt banks heavily wooded, the bridge was discovered to be 




GEN. A. p. H 1 LL. 



COLD HAItBOE. 217 

ou fire, and the sound of the enemy's axes was heard beyond, 
felling trees to obstruct the road. To prevent the prosecution 
of this "work. General Hood was directed to throw forward skir- 
mishers, and Captain Reilly to open with his battery upon the 
enemy. This had the desired effect. They disappeared, leaving 
their axes sticking in the trees ; and the bridge having been re- 
paired, the army continued its march, still skirmishing with the 
Federal rear guard until it reached Hundley's Corner, where it 
bivouacked for the night. Jackson, following the orders of 
General Lee, had thus borne away from the Chickahominy, 
where the reverberating roar of artillery indicated the commence- 
ment of the battle ; had gained ground toward the Pamunkey, 
driving all before him ; and was now in a position to descend 
next day on the enemy near Cold Harbor, and decide the fate of 
the day. 

The memorable 27th of June dawned clear and cloudless. 
Jackson, now reenforced by D. H. Hill, gradually converging 
toward the Chickahominy again, and advancing steadily, with 
Ewell in front, drove the enemy steadily before him, surmounted 
every obstacle which they had placed in the roads to bar his 
progress, and about five in the afternoon reached the vicinity of 
Old Cold Harbor. 

He did not arrive a moment too soon. "Wliilst he had been 
rapidly bearing down, in accordance with his orders, in the di- 
rection of the White House, so as to threaten the Federal right 
flank, important events had been taking place nearer to the 
Chickahominy. 

Longstreet and A. P. Hill had pressed on after the retreating 
enemy — who left behind them bvirning wagons and crowds of 
stragglers— ^until they reached, about noon, a point near New 
Bridge. Here they found the Federal forces drawn up behind 
Powhite Creek, in a position of very great strength, prepared to 
hold their ground and dispute the passage of the stream. 

Powhite Creek is one of those small watercourses which 
traverse the counties of Hanover and New Kent, running be- 
tween densely-wooded bluffs, or stealing across marshy low 



218 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

grounds. It runs obliquely to the Chickahominy, in a direction 
nearly southwest, and on its left bank a long wooded ridge ex- 
tends from above Cold Harbor to the vicinity of Gaines' Mill, 
where it terminates in a bluff rising abruptly from a deep ravine. 
On this ridge the enemy were posted ; their right at McGehee's 
house, their left near Dr. Gaines'. The ravine in front was 
filled with shai'pshooters, lurking behind the banks and trees ; 
above them, on the slope of the ridge, a heavy line of infantry 
was stationed behind a breastwork of trees ; and on the crest a 
third line was drawn up, supported by crowding batteries, ready 
to unloose their thunders as soon as the Southern troops ap- 
peared. No point was left unguarded ; rifle-pits extended on 
every hand ; artillery and infantry crowned every elevation ; 
and the Federal batteries on the southern bank of the Chicka- 
hominy completely swept the ground over which the Confed- 
erates must advance to the assault. 

In front of the Federal centre and right the ground was 
marshy, and obstructed by felled trees ; and the coverts were full 
of sharpshooters, ready to delay the advance of the Southern 
forces ; while the llea^y batteries from the crest above played on 
them and repelled their attack. 

General A. P. Hill advancing, followed by Longstreet, 
reached the vicinity of New Cold Harbor, opposite the Federal 
right and centre, about two o'clock. Here he came upon the 
enemy, whose advanced artillery was posted in the fields near 
by, and immediately attacked them, with a dash and courage 
which, at the close of that memorable day, had won for him and 
his men justly deserved fame. Their advance was driven back ; 
and then, for more than two hours, ensued a conflict desperate 
and bloody in the extreme. In vain, however, did Hill, with 
his force of not more than 8,000 men, assail the strong fortifica- 
tions in which nearly 30,000 Federal troops, with heavy artillery 
supports, disputed his advance. Their works crowning every 
slope, and pi-otected by ravines, watercourses, and the swamp, 
in which the timber had been felled, rendering tlie approaches 
almost impassable, still defied his most determined efforts ; and 



COLD HAKBOE. 219 

in charge after charge, the bravest of the Southern troops re- 
coiled from the horrible fire, shattered and broken. Hill was re- 
enforced by Pickett's brigade, and a still more resolute assault 
was made than before ; but with the same result. The troojis 
fought with the most reckless courage ; and three of Hill's regi- 
ments pierced the Federal line and attained the crest, but were 
forced to retire before overwhelming numbers. Under the mur- 
derous salvos of shell and canister sweeping their ranks and 
strewing the earth with their dead, the Southern troops were 
forced to give back, and the enemy rushed forward and gained 
possession of the ground from which they had been first re- 
pulsed. 

General Lee had joined General A. P. Hill at New Cold 
Harbor, and now listened with anxiety for the sound of Jack- 
son's guns on his left. The obstinacy of the enemy in holding 
their position on Powhite Creek, instead of falling back, as it 
was expected they would do, to protect their communications, 
had compelled a corresponding change in Jackson's movements. 
The design of advancing down the Peninsula in echelon of divi- 
sions, was necessarily abandoned, in consequence of the changed 
aspect of affairs ; and Jackson had to alter his order of march 
and hurry forward to the battle-field. To relieve General Hill, 
meanwhile, and hold the position until Jackson arrived. General 
Longstreet was directed to make a feint on the right against the 
enemy's left, near Gaines' MiU ; and this he proceeded to do 
without loss of time. The batteries on the south side of the 
Chickahominy, as well as those in front, were sweeping the ap- 
proach, but the men advanced with great coolness to the assault, 
and were now close upon the Federal position. Its enormous 
strength was now for the first time discovered ; and finding that 
he could effect nothing by a feint, General Longstreet determined 
to turn the movement into a real attack, and made his prepara- 
tions without delay. 

Such was the aspect of afiairs on the field about five in the 
evening. The Federal troops had repulsed every assault, and 
the descending sun threatened to set upon a day memorable in 



220 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON, 

the annals of the South for bloody and disastrous defeat. One 
man alone could reverse this picture of ruin. General Lee, as 
we have said, awaited anxiously, near Cold Harbor, the noise 
of guns upon his left, informing him that Jackson had arrived. 
Suddenly the hearts of ail throbbed fiercely ; and cheers rose 
and ran along the shattered lines of Hill, as the welcome sound 
was heard. From the woods on the left came the rattle of 
small-arms, mingled with the roar of artillery ; and, with every 
passing moment, it grew louder and louder. General Lee 
pushed on in the direction of tlie sound, and saw Jackson 
coming to meet him. 

" Ah, General," said Lee, " I am very glad to see you. I 
hoped to have been with you before." 

Then pausing a moment, and listening to the long-streaming 
roar in the woods, he added: "That fire is very heavy! Do 
you think your men can stand it ? " 

Jackson turned his head to one side, as was his custom, 
listened, and then said, in his brief tones : " They can stand 
almost any thing. They can stand that ! " 

After a brief interview, he then returned to the command of 
his corps. His appearance on this day was not imposing. He 
rode a gaunt sorrel horse, slow, and somewhat awkward in move- 
ment, and his seat in the saddle Avas in strong contrast to that 
of General Lee, who is very erect and graceful on horseback. 
Jackson leaned forward like a tyro in riding ; was clad in a 
dingy gi'ay uniform, Avithout decorations, and wore his famous 
old sun-scorched cap draAATi down low upon the forehead. He 
was sucking a lemon, and rode about slowly, often wholly un- 
attended, listening with outward calmness, but evidently with 
intense inward solicitude, to the continuous roar of musketry 
from the woods. His position during the battle was near the 
Old Cold Harbor house, on the left of his line ; and riding 
slowly to and fro across the fields, he was subjected to a heavy 
fire of shell, which he appeared wholly unconscious of, retaining 
his calm, almost absent air through all. His appearance is best 
described by the statement, that he seemed to have lost all 



COLD HABBOE. 221 

personal consciousness of time and place. His brain seemed to 
be busy with the hot struggle in the woods in front of him, and 
he appeared to be absoi-bed in thought upon the great tragedy 
being played before him — ^to have concentrated on the bloody 
di'ama all the resources of his mind, and heart, and soul, until 
he had become oblivious of his personal identity. When spoken 
to, his head turned quickly, and the dark eyes flashed at you, 
from beneath the rim of the old cap. A quick response, or an 
order in the briefest tones, followed, and the General returned to 
his absorbing thoughts. 

Jackson had never seen the ground before ; and this, he said, 
greatly embarrassed him. But his quick eye, as at Manassas, 
soon took in its general features, and his dispositions were 
promptly made. Stuart took position in the extensive fields 
near the Old Cold Harbor bouse, to charge and intercept the 
enemy if they attempted to retreat toward the Pamunkey — ^liis 
men having been informed by their commander that they " had 
tough work before them, and they must perform it Kke men" — 
and the infantry was rapidly moved to the points where the 
Southern lines were weakest. 

Whiting's division was hurried forward to assist Longstreet 
in his assault upon the Federal left, and formed on the left of his 
line, joining the right of General A. P. Hill. On the left of 
HiU, and opposite the enemy's centre, was a part of Jackson's 
old division, the remainder being sent to the right ; on the left 
of that, Swell's ; and on the extreme left, D. H. Hill's division. 

The artillery had not yet arrived ; but General Stuart's horse 
artillery, under the gaUant Captain Pelham, had already opened 
on the left, near the Old Cold Harbor house ; and the moment 
had now come when the Federal positions must be carried, or 
the day be lost. We have described the ground over which the 
men of Jackson were now about to charge. In their front a 
swamp, and sluggish stream, a wood of tangled undergrowth, 
and heavy masses of felled timber, made successful attack almost 
hopeless. But that attack must be made. The troops of Hill 
were worn out by the long and tremendous struggle, of two days' 



222 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

duration, and it was now the turn of their comrades. Jackson's 
men had charged and swept over the stone walls of the Valley, 
Uned with long rows of marksmen ; and they must now show 
that they were able to struggle through swamps, in which the 
feet sunk at every step ; to clamber over the enemy's abatis of 
felled trees, with the boughs lopped and sharpened ; to pene- 
trate undergrowth, wade through deep ditches, and charge 
masked-batteries, which were vomiting masses of shell and canis- 
ter in their faces. The work was hard, and required all their 
manhood ; but it could not be avoided. The hour had came for 
them to conquer or die. 

Jackson gave the order, and his whole line swept forward in 
one grand charge, with tumvdtuous cheers, and a long roar of 
musketry, which thundered through the woods. The action had 
begun in earnest. 

Narratives of battles are chiefly valuable for the insight 
which they afford into the depths of profound intellects, planning 
and executing great movements upon arenas of decisive struggle. 
It is the work of the brain, not the labor of the hand, which at- 
tracts the attention of the student ; the conception of the com- 
mander rather than the fighting of the troops, which advance or 
retire lika puppets at the bidding of the controlling and respon- 
sible intellect presiding over all. This is fortunate for the 
narrator, who, deprived of the colors of the painter, finds his 
subject too vast and exciting for his powers. What follows that 
order to " charge with the bayonet," but smoke, uproar, the 
smell of blood, the groans of the dying, and the shouts of those 
who, perhaps, at the next moment will be riddled with bullets, 
or mangled with shell, and hurled in an instant into eternity ? 

After five o'clock on the 27th of June, 1862, the banks of the 
Chickahominy, near Powhite Creek, were enveloped in a vast 
lurid canopy, through which were seen long lines sweeping for- 
ward to the charge, and from whose depths came up in a long 
frightful roll, the crash of small-arms and the din of artillery, 
mingled Avith wild cheers, as the opposing ranks clashed one 
against the other. From the moment when Jackson gave the 



COLD HAEBOE. 223 

order for his lines to advance, the battle raged with indescribable 
fur J. Through the dense ascending clouds, we shall endeavor to 
follow the movements of the troops commanded by Jackson, and 
briefly describe the part which each took in the struggle. D. H. 
Hill's troops, on the left, first came in contact with the Federal 
line. The men rushed through the swamp, underwood, and 
felled trees, in face of a heavy fire ; and after a fierce and bloody 
contest drove the enemy back on their reserve. They took 
position behind a fence and ditch ; and Hill determined to press 
on, when his attention was called to a battery which was so 
posted as to pour a destructive enfilading fire upon his advancing 
line. It was necessary first to silence this battery ; and Colonel 
Iverson, with the 1st, 3d, and 20th North Carolina, charged 
and captured it. The enemy immediately attacked them in 
force, and succeeded in recapturing the guns, but not until Gen- 
eral Hill had advanced over the dangerous ground, and was 
entva^ed in an obstinate contest with the entire Federal force in 
front of him. 

Meanwhile General EweU had a hard fight upon General 
HiU's right. The same obstacles barred his advance upon the 
Federal position, but he charged through the swamp, up the hill 
in face of a terrible fire, and fought with that daring which had 
so often excited the admiration of his commander. Reenforced 
by Lawton and Trimble, General Ewell continued the struggle 
untU dusk, when his ammunition being completely exhausted, he 
fell back. 

Jackson's old division was the third in the line,' counting 
from left to right, and was held as a species of reserve, to be 
sent to the support of any part of the line which was hard 
pressed. The 1st " Stonewall" brigade moved on the enemy's 
front through the swamp, so frequently mentioned, and did some 
of the hardest fighting of the whole day. 

It is related that when his lines at this point were hard 
pressed, Jackson turned to an officer of his staff, and said 
quickly : " "Wliere is the 1st brigade? " 

" In the woods, yonder. General." 



22i LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

" Order it to advance ! " was Jackson's brief response, aucl 
soon the lines were seen sweeping forward. As they charged, 
the officers and men were heard shouting, " Jackson ! Jack- 
son ! " 

The enemy contended with especial obstinacy for the posses- 
sion of the ground at this point, which was the key of his posi- 
tion ; and the roar of his artillery and musketry, as his fire con- 
verged upon it, was appalling. Jackson said that night, in the 
hearing of the writer, that it was " the most terrible fire of 
musketry he ever heard," and all who heard it will recognize 
the truth of the description. The old brigade did not flinch 
from the ordeal. Under its brave leader. General Charles Win- 
der, it moved steadily on, amid the tempest of projectiles, and 
driving the enemy from point to point, stormed his last position, 
three hundred yards beyond McGee's, with the bayonet. The 
2d brigade was sent to reenforce Genera! "Wilcox, at his own 
request, but arrived too late to take part in the engagement. 
The 3d brigade, sent to support Whiting, also came too late. 
The 4th brigade took part in the general charge late in the 
evening. 

General Whiting's division, which held the right of Jackson's 
line, advanced through the wood and swamp, in face of a mur- 
derous fire. Hood's 4th (Texas) brigade charged with a loud 
yell, and rushing down the precipitous ravine, leaping ditch and 
stream, pressed forward over the enemy's abatis, and every 
obstruction, driving all before them. They lost 1,000 men, but 
took 14 pieces of cannon, and nearly a regiment of prisoners. 
It was of the Texans that Jackson said on the next day, when 
he surveyed the ditch and abatis, over which they charged : 

" The men who carried this position were soldiers indeed ! " 

Of General Hood's decisive charge upon the Federal works 
near McGee's house, one of his Texans gives an animated 
sketch, of which a portion is here presented. " While Hood" 
brigade," says the Avriter, " was formed in line of battle, the 4th 
Texas was held in partial reserve, and soon became separated 
from the other regiments of the brigade. After remaininjr in 



COLD HAKBOK. 225 

the rear, lying down, for perhaps half an hour, General Hood 
came for us, and moving by the right flank about half a mile, 
halted us in an open space to the right of some timber, and in 
rear of an apple orchard. The sight which we here beheld 
beggars description. The ground was strewn with the dead and 
dying, while our ranks were broken at every instant by flying 
and panic-stricken soldiers. In front of us was the ' Old 3d 
brigade,' who, but a few moments before, had started with 
cheers to storm the fatal palisade. But the storm of iron and 
lead was too severe, they ' wavered ' for a moment, and fell upon 
the ground. At this instant General Hood, who had, in per- 
son, taken command of our regiment, commanded in his clear 
ringing voice, ' Forward, quick, march,' and onward moved 
the little band of five hundred, with the coolness of veterans. 
Here Colonel Marshall fell dead from his horse, pierced by a 
Minie ball. Volleys of mu.sketry, and showers of grape, cani- 
ster, and shell ploughed through us, but were only answered by 
the stern ' Close up — close up to the colors,' and onward they 
rushed over the dead and dying, without a pause, until within 
about one hundred yards of the breastworks. We had reached 
the apex of the hill, and some of the men seeing the enemy just 
before them, commenced discharging their pieces. It was at 
this point that preceding brigades had halted, and beyond 
which none had gone, in consequence of the terrible concentra- 
ted fire of the concealed enemy. At this critical juncture the 
voice of General Hood was heard above the din of battle, 
" Forward, forward, charge right down on them, and drive 
them out with the bayonet.' Fixing bayonets as they moved, 
they made one grand rush for the fort ; down the hill, across 
the creek and fallen timber, and the next minute saw our battle 
flag planted upon the captured breastwork. The enemy, fright- 
ened at the rapid approach of pointed steel, rose from behind 
their defences, and started up the hill at speed. One volley was 
poured into their backs, and it seemed as if every ball found a 
victim, so great was the slaughter. Their works were ours, 
and, as our flag moved from the first to the second tier of de- 
15 



22G LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

fences, a slioiit arose from tlie shattered remnant of that regi- 
ment, and which Avill long be remembered by those who heard 
it ; a sliout which announced that the wall of death was broken, 
and victory, Avhieh had hovered doubtfully for hours over that 
bloody field, had at length perched upon the battle flag of the 
4th Texas. Right and left it was taken up and rang along the 
lines for miles ; long after many of those who had started it 
were in eternity." 

The movements which we have here referred to, took place 
together all along the line. The declining sun looked down 
upon a conflict of unspeakable desperation and bitterness, and 
hour after hour the battle continued to rage, growing madder 
and more bloody as the shades of night drew near. "With in- 
tense but thoroughly suppressed excitement, Jackson moved to 
and fro, receiving despatches, issuing orders, gazing at any one 
who spoke to him with a quick flash of the dark keen eye, and 
speaking in the curt, brief accents -which characterized him. 
He listened intently to the crash of musketry which issued from 
the w^oods in front, and waited. The sound did not shift its di- 
rection, no change in the position of the combatants was dis- 
cernible, and the roar continued, incessant and undiminished. 
It was obvious that the Federal forces had not been repulsed, 
and toward dusk a courier galloped up and delivered a message 
from one of the generals that " the enemy did not give way." 

Jackson's eyes glittered under his cap, and in words which 
issued with a species of jerk, one by one as it Avere, from his lips, 
he said : " Tell him if they stand at sunset to press them with 
the bayonet ! " 

General Stuart, who was near, said : " You had better send a 
second messenger, General, this one may be shot." , 

Jackson nodded, and turning to a mounted man, said : " You 

go." 

Major Pendleton of his staff, however, volunteered, and bore 
the duplicate order, and in a quarter of an hour the result was 
perceived. The musketry fire had been heavy before, it now 
became frightful. The order to charge Avith the bayonet had 



GENERAL McCLELLAN KETKEATS TO JAJNIES EIYEE. 227 

been obeyed, and tlie Confederate lines advanced, carrying all 
before them. In spite of the terrible fire from the triple line of 
Federal infantry on the ridge, and the incessant cannonade of 
the batteries in front and flank, they steadily swept on, and be- 
fore this determined charge the Federal lines gave way. They 
were driven from the ravines and swamps to the first tier of 
breastworks, over which the Confederates charged upon the 
crest blazing with artillery. This last line was stormed at the 
point of the bayonet, and abandoning their pieces the Federal 
troops feU back in the wildest disorder. 

The battle was over, and, posted in advance of his batteries, 
near the Old Cold Harbor house, his figure cleai'ly revealed by 
the fires which the shell had kindled, Jackson, whose corps had 
decided the event, listened to the wild cheers of his men, as 
they pressed the retreating enemy toward Grapevine bridge. 



CHAPTER IV. 

GENERAL McCLELLAN RETREATS TO JAMES RIVER. 

"When night fell on Friday, June 27th, 1862, General Mc- 
Clellan was defeated. 

Thenceforth the only question was, how could he withdraw 
his shattered and disheartened forces to a place of safety. Two 
lines of retreat were open, both perilous : One down the Pen- 
insula, with the vengeful Confederates assailing him at every 
step, forcing him to turn and give battle day by day, if indeed 
the first encounter did not terminate in the destruction of his 
command. The other toward James River, on the right bank 
of the Chickahominy, right through the Confederate lines, 
through swamps and streams, over treacherous roads, through 
the tangled morass, with Lee on his rear and flank, ready to 
destroy him. 

Neither prospect was inviting, but rapid decision was neces- 



228 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

sary ; and Geueral McClellan determined to retreat toward 
Harrison's Lahding on James River. 

The condition of things at the end of the battle, and the 
state of the Federal troops, is Avell described by a correspondent 
of the Xew York " Tribune." The first sentences contain a 
statement of the impression produced upon the Federal troops 
by Jackson's appearance at Cold Harbor : 

" My note-book," writes the correspondent, " says that, at 
six o'clock, the enemy commenced a determined attack on our 
extreme right, evidently with a design of flanking us. It was 
an awful firing that resounded from that smoke-clouded valley — 
not heavier than some in the earlier part of the engagement, 
but more steady and determined. It was only by overbearing 
exhausted men with fresh ones, that the enemy succeeded in 
turning that flank, as, at length, he did succeed, only too well ; 
and he accomplished it iu three-quarters of an hour. At the 
expiration of that time, our ofiicers judiciously ordered their 
men to fall back ; the order was not obeyed so judiciously, for 
they ran back, Iroken, disordered^ routed. Simultaneously the 
wounded and skulkers about the buildings used as hospitals, 
caught a panic, whether from a few riderless horses plunging 
madly across the field, or from instantaneously scenting the 
rout, docs not appear. A motley mob started pell-mell for the 
bridges. They were overtaken by many just fi-om the woods, 
and it seemed as if Bull Run were to be repeated. 

" Meanwhile the panic extended. Scores of gallant officers 
endeavored to rally and re-form the stragglers, but in vain ; 
while many officers forgot the pride of their shoulder-straps, and 
the honor of their manhood, and herded with the sneaks and 
cowards. O, that I had known the names of those officers I 
saw, the brave and the cowardly, that here, now, I might reward 
and punish, by directing upon each individual the respect or the 
contempt of a whole people ! 

" That scene was not one to be forgotten. Scores of rider- 
less, terrified horses, dashing in every direction; thick flying 
bullets singing by, adnioulshing of danger ; every minute a man 



GENERAL MoCLELLAN EETEEATS TO JAjMES KIVEE. 229 

struck down ; wagons and ambulances and cannon blockading 
the way ; wounded men limping and groaning and bleeding 
amid the throng ; officers and civilians denouncing, and reason- 
ing, and entreating, and being insensibly borne along with the 
mass ; the sublime cannonading, the clouds of battle-smoke, and 
the sun just disappearing, large and blood-red — I cannot picture 
it, but I see it, and always shall." 

On the morning of the 28th it was ascertained that a por- 
tion of the Federal force still remained on the northern bank of 
the Chickahominy ; and as General Lee had no assurance that 
they would not push forward reenforcements from the Peninsu- 
la, and make another effort to preserve their communications, 
and save the enormous accumulation of public stores at the 
White House, General Ewell was sent forward to Dispatch Sta- 
tion, about one mUe east of the Chickahominy, on the York 
River Railroad, with orders to seize the road, and cut the ene- 
my's communications with the White House. In this movement 
General Stviart cooperated with his cavalry, advancing in front 
of Ewell, and encountering the enemy at Dispatch. 

As soon as Stuart's cavalry dashed up, the Federal forces at 
this point retreated in haste across the Chickahominy, burning 
the railroad bridge in their rear, and Ewell coming up, destroyed 
a portion of the track of the road. 

General Stuart then proceeded down the railroad, to ascer- 
tain if there was any movement of the enemy in that direction, 
and reaching the White House, attacked and drove off a gun- 
boat, which was still in the river at that place. With a Blakely 
gun Captain John Pelham attacked the dark-hulled " monster," 
as the journals then styled these vessels, drove it from its moor- 
ings, and chased it down the river, until it disappeared behind 
the wooded bend. At General Stuart's approach, the officer 
commanding at the White House had set fire to the great masses 
of stores there, and retreated down the Peninsula. As the cav- 
alry galloped up, the scene was one mass of crackling flames 
and lurid smoke, through which were visible the blackened ruins 
of the " White House " mansion, the property of Colonel W. 



230 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

H. F. Lee, son of the Confederate commander, and the scene 
of "Washington's marriage. From the burning mass General 
Stuart rescued several railroad engines, and about 10,000 stand 
of arms, partially burned ; and on the next day, leaving a 
squadron to hold the position, hastened back to bear his part in 
the great scenes which still continued to attract all eyes to the 
banks of tlie Chickaliominy. 

Let us go back to the morning of the 28th of June, when 
Stuart took up the line of march for the White House. Up to 
the moment when the Federal forces retreated from Dispatch, 
burning the raili'oad bridge, and crossing to the south side of the 
stream, the intentions of General McClellan were undeveloped. 
It then became plain that he had abandoned the line of the York 
Uiver Kailroad ; and early in the forenoon, the clouds of dust 
which rose from the southern bank of the Chickahominy, indi- 
cated that the Federal troops were in motion. Their destina- 
tion still, however, remained unknown. No certain evidences 
of McClellan's intention to retreat toward Harrison's Landing 
were observed, and as he still had at his command Bottom's and 
Long bridges over the Chickahominy below, the line of retreat 
down the Peninsula remained open. To frustrate any move- 
ment in that direction, EweU was ordered to move from Dispatch 
to Bottom's bridge, on the main road from Kichmond to Wil- 
liamsburg ; and Stuart, on the next day, pushed on with his 
cavahy, to guard the bridges still lower down. 

Late in the afternoon of the 28tli, the Federal works on the 
south side of the Chickahominy, in front of Richmond, were re- 
ported to be fully manned, and their forces exhibited no inten- 
tion of retiring. Here, however, commenced that run of good 
Ibrtune which General McClcUan derived from the character of the 
ground. The densely-wooded lowgrounds, penetrated only by 
narrow and winding roads, enabled the Fedci'al commander to 
make his dispositions without chance of discovery ; and at the 
moment when his frowning fortifications bristled with heavy 
guns, with cannoneers at their posts, rapid arrangements were 
being made to retreat to James River. Dui'iug the night these 



GENERAL McCLELLAJST EETEEATS TO JAMES EIVEE. 231 

movements were too general to be longer concealed, and it was 
soon discovered that the entire Federal army was in full retreat. 

Then commenced the great movement w^hich wiU long be re- 
membered for the horrors which accompanied it. The Confed- 
erates followed at dawn ; and we shall proceed to nai'rate briefly 
tlie events which ensued, without undertaking to decide upon the 
charges of grave neglect of duty preferred by public opinion 
against some of the Confederate officers, for permitting the Fed- 
eral forces to elude them. General Huger was to move by the 
Charles City road, so as to strike tlie flank of the retreating 
column ; and General Magruder by the Williamsburg road, in 
order to assail their rear. Jackson, who had remained on the 
northern bank of the Chickahominy both to cut off their retreat 
down the Peninsula and from his inability to cross until the 
bridges destroyed by the enemy in their rear were reconstructed, 
Avas now ordered to cross to the south bank, and move directly 
down the stream to cooperate with Magruder in the attack upon 
the Federal rear. 

On the night of the 29th, accordingly, Jackson, now rejoined 
by Ewell, took up the line of march for the new scene of opera- 
tions, crossing at Grapevine bridge, a short distance north of the 
railroad. This bridge had furnished an avenue of retreat to 
General McClellan, on the night of the 27th, when his forces 
fell back from Cold Harbor ; and having passed over the rolling 
structure of loose logs, half buried in the slushy soil, he had de- 
stroyed it behind him. Jackson hastily reconstructed it, and 
pushed forward without pause toward Savage Station, the line 
of the enemy's retreat. 

Meanwhile the thunder of artillery throughout the latter 
part of the afternoon had indicated the progress of a severe en- 
gagement between the Federal forces and Magruder. Following 
the retreating column, Magruder had found their whole line of 
works deserted, and vast amounts of military stores abandoned. 
Approaching Savage's Station about noon, he came upon their 
rear guard, and attacked them with one of his divisions — the 
conflict continuiu"' until ni";ht. The loss inflicted was consider- 



232 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

able, and at nightfall General McClellan continued his retreat, 
leaving behind immense amounts of stores and 2,500 men in the 
hospitals. The stores had been partially burned, and the enemy 
had loaded a long railroad train with their surplus ammunition, 
gotten the engine under a full head of steam, and applying a 
slow match to the ordnance, started the diabolical messenger on 
its way toward the Chickahominy. The engine rushed on with 
its dangerous freight until it reached the destroyed bridge, where 
the train blew up with a I'oar which Avas heard more than thirty 
miles — the cars rolling, torn to pieces, into the river ; the grimy 
engine hanging like some inanimate monster on the very brink 
of the trestle work, in the centre of the stream, where, by some 
strange chance, it had not toppled over. 

The enemy's stand at Savage's Station had been made with 
the design of covering the further retreat of their main body. 
In this they succeeded, and, crossing White Oak Swamp with- 
out interruption, they destroyed the bridge behind them and 
were comparatively safe. 

Jackson reached Savage's Station on the morning of the 
30th, and gathered up about 1,000 stragglers from the Federal 
army. He did not delay .his march, and pushing on, came up 
with the enemy at White Oak Swamp, Avhere they had assumed 
a position behind the destroyed bridge, which rendered the pas- 
sage of the stream in their front impossible. His artillery was 
placed in po5»ition, and a steady cannonade commenced — during 
which a severe action known as the battle of Frayser's Farm 
took place lower down. 

Longstreet and A. P. Hill had pushed forward, and soon 
came upon the Federal forces strongly posted on the Long bridge 
road, about a mile from its intersection with the Charles City 
road. General Huger had reported that his progress was ob- 
structed, but about four p. M. firing was heard on the Charles 
City road, which was supposed to indicate his approach ; and 
Longstreet opened with his artillery to announce his presence. 
A fierce and sanguinary conflict followed between the enemy 
and Longsti'cct reenforccd by A. P. Hill. General Huger did 



MALVEEN HILL. 233 

not come up, and Jackson was unable to force tlie passage of 
White Oak Swamp : thus the two first-named commands bore 
the brunt of the whole battle, which raged furiously until nine 
o'clock at night. At that hour the Federal forces had been 
driven with great slaughter from every position but one, which 
they maiatained until darkness settled down upon the woods. 
Under the cover of night they continued to fall back, leaving 
their dead and wounded on the field, several thousands of small 
arms scattered about, and large numbers of prisoners, including 
a general of division. 

The battle of Frayser's Farm was the turning point of the 
di'ama. General McCleUan fought with desperation, and man- 
aged to hold his ground until night, when he continued his re- 
treat toward James River. 



CHAPTER V. 

MALVERN HILL. 

Early on the next morning — the 1st of July — Jackson forced 
the passage of "White Oak Swamp, captured a part of the Fed- 
eral artillery, and pressing forward, reached the battle-field of 
the evening before, where he was assigned to the front by Gen- 
eral Lee, and immediately continued the pursuit. 

His presence infused new ardor into the movement, and, ad- 
vancing down the Willis Church road, under an incessant fire 
from the Federal rear guard, he found himself in front of Mal- 
vern Hill. 

On this powerful position General McClellan had drawn up 
his entii-e army to repel the assault of his obstinate and untiring 
foes. His left rested near Crewe's house, and his right near 
Binford's. His infantry was behind hastily constructed earth- 
works, and his artillery so massed as to concentrate a deadly fire 
upon every avenue of approach. In front the ground was open 
for about half a mile, and sloping gradually from the crest occu- 



234 LITE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

pied by the Federal forces, was completely swept by their infan- 
try and artillery. To reach this open ground, the Confederate 
ti'oops were compelled to advance through a broken and thickly- 
wooded country, traversed by streams and swamps, passable in 
very few places ; and this whole ground was in easy range of 
the batteries on the lieights as well as the gunboats in the river. 

A more formidable position in which to repulse an assault 
can scarcely be imagined, and the sequel plainly pointed out the 
good generalship of the officer who had selected it. 

General Lee determined to attack, and immediately made 
his dispositions for battle. Jackson formed his line with 
Whiting's division on the left and D. H. Hill's on the right^-ono 
of Ewell's brigades occupying the interval between them. The 
rest of Ewell's and Jackson's old division were held in reserve 
in the woods near WiUis' Church. On the right of Jackson's 
line were posted two of General Huger's brigades, and on the 
extreme right of the Confederate line General Magruder's com- 
mand was stationed. Longstreet and A. P. Hill were held in 
reserve, and took no part in the action. These dispositions were 
not made until late in the afternoon — the dense woods almost 
wholly interrupting communication. The same circumstance 
prevented a sufficient amount of artillery from being thrown into 
action ; and under these disheartening circumstances the battle 
commenced. 

Malvern Hill was less a battle, scientifically disputed, than a 
bloody combat in which masses of men rushed forward and were 
swept away by the terrible fire of artillery concentrated in their 
front. D. H. Hill, hearing, as he supposed, the signal from 
General Lee for a general advance, put his lines in motion, and 
advanced to attack the tremendous position before him. He 
was resolutely met, and so hard pressed that he was compelled 
to call urgently for reOnforcements. Jackson promptly sent for- 
ward Ewell's reserve and his own division ; but owing to the 
swampy nature of the ground, the thick undergrowth, and gath- 
ering darkness, their march was so much retarded that they did 
not arrive in time to enable Hill to maintain his position, and he 



MALVERN HILL. 235 

was forced to fall back with heavy loss. On the left, Whiting, 
with his batteries, drove back an advance of the Federal line 
upon Taylor's brigade, holding Jackson's centre ; but this v/as 
decisive of no results. 

On the right the command of Magruder and Huger gallantly 
advanced to the attack. Several determined efforts were made 
to storm the Federal position near Crewe's house, and tbe bri- 
gades advanced without faltering across the open field, in face 
cf a hundi'ed pieces of artillery wbich tore their lines as they 
rushed forward, and a deadly and destructive fire of musketiy 
from the masses of infantry upon the crest. As they approached 
the hiU some of the brigades gave way, and recoiled before the 
awful fire directed upon them ; but others continued to advance, 
and, charging the Federal guns, drove them and their infantr'y 
supports from the position, leaving their dead mingled with 
those of the Federal troops upon the hiU. 

But these efforts were all unavailing. The position of the 
enemy was so powerful, and the absence of concert between the 
Confederate columns so fatal, that the Federal lines remained 
unbroken ; and after struggling desperately to hold the ground 
thus won, the Confederate lines were compelled to fall back and 
surrender their hard-earned advantage. The firing continued 
until nine at night, when silence settled upon the battle-field, and 
the weary troops lay down within a hundred yards of the Fed- 
eral guns. 

Such was the battle of Malvern Hill, one of the most fierce 
and sanguinary engagements of the war. Our sketch has been 
tame and unequal to the subject ; perhaps the reader may find 
in the following sentences of a newspaper writer, soon after the 
action, a more animated description : 

" General McClellan," says this writer, " prepared, in the 
language of one of his officers, to ' clothe the hill in sheets of 
flame.' Every ravine swarmed Avith his thousands, and along 
the crest of every hiU flashed forth his numerous artillery, hav- 
ing for the most part an unbroken play over the ascending slope, 
and across cleared fields of twelve hundred yards in length. 



23 G LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

" NotwithstaDtling the formidable nature of this position, it 
was determined to attack him, and late in the afternoon of 
Tuesday, July 1st, this tremendous contest commenced. Soon 
Malvern Hill was sheeted with ascending and descending flames 
of fire. Thirty-seven pieces of artillery, supported at a greater 
distance by heavy and more numerous batteries, and by his gun- 
boats, kept faithful ward over the enemy's position, and ploughed 
through our columns even before they could see the enemy or 
deploy into line of battle. Undismayed by the most terrific can- 
nonading of the war, the advance of Magruder's forces com- 
menced. Onward, in the face of a storm of shot and shell, they 
pressed forward, until within musket range of the enemy, and 
then they opened theii* fire. Whole lines of the enemy fell as 
they stood, or, attempting retreat, were overtaken by the bullets 
of our troops, who never veered in their aim or recoiled while 
the enemy^s infantry remained in range ; and when forced back 
for a time by the avalanche of converging artillery, yet when the 
infantry of the enemy ventured again beyond then* batteries, our 
lines advanced with shout and bayonet and drove them back 
among the reserves and behind the wall of fire which flamed 
along the mouths of the circling cannon. Thus the contest 
ebbed and flowed until night spread its mantle on the battle- 
field. 

" The batteries of the enemy were not captured by assault, 
because no line of men could live in their converging fires, sweep- 
ing unobstructed the attacking forces for twelve hundred yards, 
but his line of infantry was repeatedly broken with frightful 
slaughter by the fierce charges of our troops, who held their 
position and slept on the field, within one hundred yards of the 
enemy's guns. The extent of the carnage of the enemy no one 
imagined until daylight revealed it in the horrors of the battle- 
field. Our dead lay close together, producing thus upon the be- 
holder an exaggerated impression of the number ; but an exam- 
ination showed that the loss of the enemy much exceeded ours. 
His dead lay everj'where — here in line of battle, there in Avild 
confusion of rout and retreat ; not a ravine, not a glade, not a 



MALVEKN HILL. 237 

hill that was not dotted by their mangled forms, while every 
dwelling, outhouse, barn and stable for miles around, was 
crowded with their dead and dying. In many places groups of 
dead were found distant from the battle-field, where it was evi- 
dent they were carried, with the intent of bearing them to the 
river, and where they Avere roughly and rudely tossed on the 
wayside wlien the panic overtook their escort. Every indication 
showed the wildest flight of the enemy. Cannon and caissons 
were abandoned, and for miles the road was filled with knap- 
sacks, rifles, muskets, etc. Loaded wagons were left on the 
road, with vast quantities of ammunition unexploded. Caisson 
drivers opened their ammunition chests, and threw out their 
powder and round shot to lighten their loads, to enable them to 
keep up with the rapid flight. It is hazarding but little to say 
that when night put an end to the battle, the whole army of Mc- 
Clellan, with the exception of the artillery, and its diminished 
infantry guard near Crewe's and Turner's houses, was utterly 
disorganized, and had become a mob of stragglers. At daylight 
aext morning nothing could be seen of his army except some 
cavalry pickets that in the distance observed our advance. We 
do not believe that 15,000 of the Grand Army of the Potomac 
retreated from the bloody heights of Malvern Hill as soldiery. 
If nature had scooped out the bed of James River, twenty miles 
distant from Malvern Hill, the Grand Army of the Potomac 
would have ceased to exist." 

The Federal army had indeed retreated in the night to Har- 
rison's Landing, and the long agony was over. 



238 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

CHAPTER VI. 

FEDERAL ACCOUNTS OF THE RETREAT. 

General McClellan had thus made good his retreat, but 
in so doing he had passed through scenes the description of 
Avhich in army letters harrowed for many months the blood of 
the whole Northern people. 

The aim of this work is to present as faithful a picture as 
possible of the great series of events in which Jackson took 
part, and the statements of some Federal writers will here be 
given in reference to General McClellan's retreat. They are 
vivid, and paint the great lurid picture in bloody colors. Tliat 
picture is a part of the present subject, since Jackson's corps 
first broke the Federal lines and compelled them to fall back ; 
and his troops followed closely on the Federal rear, and largely 
contributed to the decisive result. A correspondent of the New 
York "Tribune" thus describes the scene : 

" Pluddled among the wagons were 10,000 stragglers — for 
the credit of the nation be it said that four-fifths of them were 
wounded, sick, or utterly exhausted, and could not have stirred 
but for dread of the tobacco warehouses of the South. The con- 
fusion of this herd of men and mules, wagons and wounded, 
men on horses, men on foot, men by the roadside, men perched 
on wagons, men searching for water, men famishing for food, 
men lame and bleeding, men with ghostly eyes, looking out 
between bloody bandages, that hid the face — turn to some vivid 
account of the most pitiful part of Napoleon's retreat from Rus- 
sia, and fill out the picture — the grim, gaunt, bloody picture of 
Avar in its most terrible features. 

" It was determined to move on during the night. The dis- 
tance to Turkey Island bridge, the point on James River which 
was to be reached, by the direct road, was six mUcs. But those 
vast numbers could not move over one narrow road in days ; 



FEDEEAL ACCOUNTS OF THE EETEEAT. 239 

hence every by-roa'd, no matter how cu-cuitous, had been searched 
out by questioning prisoners and by cavaky excursions. Every 
one vi^as filled by one of the advancing cohjmns. The whole 
tront was in motion by seven p.m., General Keyes in command 
of the advance. 

" I rode with General Howe's brigade of Couch's division, 
taking a wagon track through dense woods and precipitous ra- 
vines winding sinuously far around to the left, and striking the 
river some distance below Turkey Island. Commencing at 
dusk, the march continued until daylight. The night was dark 
and fearful. Heavy thunder rolled in turn along each point of 
the heavens, and dark clouds spread the entire canopy. We 
were forbidden to speak aloud ; or, lest the light of a cigar 
should present a target for an ambushed rifle, we were cautioned 
not to smoke. Ten miles of weary marching, with frequent 
halts, as some one of the hundred vehicles of the artillery train, 
in our centre, by a slight deviation crashed against a tree, wore 
away the hours to dawn, when we were debouched into a magni- 
ficent wheat field, and the smoke stack of the Galena was in 
sight. Xenophon's remnant of ten thousand, shouting, ' The sea ! 
the sea !' were not more glad than we." 

It is certain that the whole Federal army shared this feeling. 
Another writer in the New York " Times " says : " When an aid 
of General McClellan rode back and reported that the way was 
all open to James River, a thrill of relief ran through the whole 
line, and the sight of the green fields skirting its banks was in- 
deed an oasis in the terrible desert of suspense and apprehension 
through which they had passed. The teams were now put upon a 
lively trot, in order to relieve the pressure upon that portion 
still in the rear. 

" General McClellan and staff rode ahead and took posses- 
sion of the old estate known as Malvern Hill, one mile back 
from Turkey Island Bend. It is a large, old-fashioned estate, 
originally built by the French, and has near it, in front, an old 
earthwork constructed by General Washington during the 
Revolutionary War. It has a spacious yard shaded by vener- 



2-iO LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

able elms and other trees. A fine view of the river can be 
had from this elevated position. General McClellan expressed 
the opinion that, with a brief time to prepare, the position 
could be held against any force the enemy can bring against 
us. 

" Exhausted by long watching and fatigue, and covered 
thickly with the dust of the road over which we had passed, 
many officers threw themselves upon the shady and grassy lawn 
to rest. The soldiers also, attracted by the shady trees, sur- 
roimded the house, or bivouacked in the fields near by. Gen- 
eral McClellan immediately addressed himself to the task of pre- 
paring despatches for the Government." 

From the composition of his despatches General McClellan 
Avas diverted by the intelligence that the enemy were approach- 
ing to attack him in his last stronghold. That attack was soon 
made and General McClellan was able, as we have seen, by 
massing his artillery upon strong positions, to repulse the Con- 
federate assault, and hold the ground until the welcome shades 
of night put an end to the contest. But the battle of Malvern 
Ilill, indecisive as it appeared, had a conclusive effect upon the 
Federal army. The frightful carnage which took place in their 
ranks bore heavily upon the spirits of men who were completely 
exhausted by the prostrating fatigue and excitement of six days 
of marching and fighting, almost without rest or food. From 
the 26th of June, the Federal troops had had no breathing space. 
They were either engaged in desperate combat, or retreating, 
hotly pursued. The Confederate column still followed, as fresh 
and vigorous, to all appearances, as ever ; and under these com- 
bined influences of fatigue, famine, disaster, and hopelessness, the 
hearts of the Federal troops sunk. They gave up all further idea 
of victory ; many threw down their arras, and sauve qui peid 
was now the order of the day throughout almost the entire Fed- 
eral ai-my. They no longer looked forward toward the Con- 
federate lines, but backward toward Harrison's Landing, where, 
under the shelter of the gunboats, they saw their only hope of 
extrication from the horrors which surrounded them. Broken 



FEDERAL ACCOUNTS OF THE KETEEAT. 241 

in spirit, prostrated physically, and seeing in fui*ther contests 
additional disaster only, they gave up the struggle, straggled 
away, and arrived at the haven of safety a confused and 
disorderly mob, rather than a disciplined and effective army. 

The following paragraph, from the correspondent of the 
New York " Tribune," at Harrison's Landing, on the 2d of 
July, describes the demeanor of General McClellan, and the 
condition of his troops : 

" General McClellan came on board the maU boat, greatly 
perturbed. He met General Patterson as he stepped on board, 
laid his hand on his slioulder, and took him in a hurried man- 
ner into the aft cabin, or ladies' saloon. As he went in he beat 
the air with his right hand clenched, from which all present in- 
ferred there was bad news. To the astonishment of the writer, 
it was subsequently explained ' that the whole Army of the Po- 
tomac lay stretched along the banks of the river where we lay, 
having fought their way all through from Fair Oaks, a distance 
of thirty miles.' General McClellan, however, claimed that his 
troops ' had fought the Confederates in superior numbers every 
day for a week, and whipped them every time.' To a question 
as to the location of certain divisions and their generals, the an- 
swer was, ' They are scattered everywhere, but are, neverthe- 
less, in a solid, compact body.' And in reply to another remark, 
it was said, ' What we want is fresh men ; they (the troops) are 
worked to death.' " 

The great advance upon Richmond from the Peninsula had 
thus faUed, like that from the direction of the Valley. General 
McClellan's large army, which he stated on his trial numbered 
150,000, of whom 112,000 were effective for the field, had been 
entirely defeated, in battle after battle, and driven to seek pro- 
tection under the portholes of the gunboats on James River. 
The Federal bulletins represented the movement from Cold Har- 
bor to Harrison's Landing as only a premeditated " change of 
base," to attain a more favorable position for a new advance on 
Richmond ; and it is true that General McClellan foresaw the 
attack upon his right, and really did intend to move his forces 
16 



2-12 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

gradually toward James Eiver. Still it was obvious that this 
movement had now been made under compulsion, and that the 
safety of his army rather than the attainment of a stronger po- 
sition, induced him to fall back to Harrison's Landing. In 
other words, the movement was not a military change of base, 
but a compulsory retreat, in consequence of the bloody defeat at 
Cold Harbor ; and so it was regarded by the world. General 
McClellan had evidently suffered a disastrous and conclusive 
defeat. He had played for a great stake, and brought all his 
skill and enei-gy to bear upon the game, but it had gone against 
him. He was bankrupt, and the world could not be induced to 
believe that he rose the winner. 

The effective Federal force engaged in all portions of the 
field had been, by General McClellan's subsequent statement, 
112,000 men. The writer cannot state the amount of Confed- 
erate troops accurately, and does not venture to set down the 
exact number. The force under General Lee aftei Jackson's 
arrival was generally estimated, however, by intelligent otficers 
in the Confederate army at 60,000. It may be said with tolera- 
ble certainty that it did not exceed 70,000. The great battles 
of the Chickahominy did not depend, however, so much upon 
the number of the troops, as upon the skill of the commanders. 
The best proof of General Lee's abilities as a soldier, lies in 
the fact that General McClellan discovered his adversary's in- 
tentions, but does not seem to have been able to counteract 
them. On the 25th he wrote to President Lincoln that he 
" would probably be attacked to-morrow," but his position was 
such that he could not guard against the assault, or meet it with 
greater success. He had anticipated this very movement, but 
had not been permitted by General Lee to avoid it by changing 
the base of his army to James River. The inexorable fate ap- 
proached in the person of Lee ; the dial pointed to the destined 
hour — and the star of McClellan's fortunes went down in blood. 
Lee had thus outgeneraled his gi-eat adversary, and reversed 
all his plans. The result had proved the Confederate com- 
mander to be one of the most accomplished soldiers of history ; 



FEDERAL ACCOUNTS OF THE EETKEAT. 243 

but in estimatiag his great merits, we should not lose sight of 
the admirable fighting qualities of his troops, or the conspicuous 
abilities of his subordinate commanders. Lee had shown him- 
self to be a great captain — but he had admirable lieutenants. 
Longstreet, the stubborn and unyielding fighter, who, like the 
" War Horse," a name given him by Lee, seemed to thrill at 
the " thunder of the captains and the shouting," and rejoice in 
the hard brunt of action ; A. P. Hill, the dashing, chivalric, 
headlong commander of the '' Light Division," who seemed to 
understand with difiiculty that the moment sometimes arrived 
when a general must fall back ; Ewell, the blunt and determined 
soldier, trained and confided in by Jackson ; Magruder, the pas- 
sionate, excitable, and enterprising leader ; Hood, the daring 
and indomitable Texan, tall, powerful, with his kind face and 
honest smile, but under all a will of ii'on ; Stuart, the prince of 
cavalrymen, with his native genius for the career of arms, his 
daring, nerve, and coolness even in a charge — that coolness 
which remained unshaken, whatever perils menaced him ; the 
generals of divisions and brigades ; the colonels of regiments ; 
the commanders of squadrons and battalions ; the captains of 
companies — aU cooperated with the troops, and carried out the 
plans of General Lee, with a skill and vigor which alone could 
accomplish such results. 

Among these distinguished soldiers, marching under Lee, 
none had performed more important services in the recent bat- 
tles than Jackson. "When he appeared upon the field the battle 
was almost lost, and the Confederate lines were on the point of 
falling back. The sound of his guns changed the whole face of 
affairs, as by magic ; and wlaen he threw his trained troops 
against the Federal lines, they began in their turn to waver. 
This was always the signal with Jackson for a more resolute 
attack ; that attack was made, and the result was a decisive vic- 
tory, in which Jackson's corps had borne the chief part. 

He fought upon this occasion with the science of a trained 
soldier, but the anxiety of earlier days in the Valley was spared 
him. His troops no longer required watching and careful ma- 



244: LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

nouvring to make them victorious. The raw levies had become 
old soldiers, and fought with a steadiness which spared their 
commander all solicitude. This was shown in Jackson's de- 
meanor on the field. He had the air of one who knew upon 
what he relied, and did not doubt the result. 

Malvern Hill was the end of the struggle around Richmond. 
It is true that General Lee sent Jackson forward on the next 
day toward Harrison's Landing, and that on the day after there 
was a desultory skirmish between the opposing forces. But the 
roU of great events was exhausted, the curtain had fallen upon 
the bloody drama. 

Subsequent revelations, by General McClellan, of the strength 
and condition of his army at that time, afford ample reason for 
believing that an advance would have terminated in his capture ; 
but upon grounds which seemed to them at that time conclusive, 
the Confederate authorities determined to retire ; and on the 8th 
of July the forces were accordingly withdrawn. Jackson's 
corps fell into line, left the hot pine woods in which they had 
lain, sweltering in front of the enemy, and took up the line of 
march for the neighborhood of Richmond. 

Jackson had lost at the battle of Cold Harbor 589 killed, 
and 2,671 wounded. At the battle of Malvern Hill 377 killed, 
and 1,746 wounded. 

The corps had sustained, in the fullest degree, its reputation, 
won in the hard combats beyond the mountains, and had left its 
mark all along the road from Ashland, by Cold Harbor to Mal- 
vern Hill ; but it had left, too, some of its most precious blood, 
poured out in the lowlands, as other precious blood had been, in 
the Virginia Valley. Many brave souls slept under the green 
sod of the Hanover slopes, in the silent SAvamps of the Chicka- 
hominy, and beneath the dim pines of Charles City, sighing over 
their unknown graves. There may they rest in peace. 



THE END OF THE DEAMA. 245 



CHAPTER Vn. 

THE END OF THE DRAMA. 

The memorable "battles around Richmond" had thus re- 
sulted in the defeat of the Federal campaign, and the remnant 
of General McClellan's army had retired for safety under the 
frowning muzzles of the gunboats on James River. 

We have traced in detail the movements which led to this 
result, but in the hurry of the narrative have omitted some 
things which are necessary to an intelligent comprehension of 
the situation of the adversaries. 

At the moment when General Lee struck at him, General 
McClellan was within cannon shot of Richmond, and his great 
numbers seemed to render its capture certain. From the White 
House, their base of supply on York River, to Seven Pines, 
within four or five miles of the city, the Federal troops were 
encamped on every hill and in every valley. The fields and 
forests of New Kent, Henrico, and Hanover, which had made 
those counties among the most attractive in the State, were full 
of tents ; the woods were disappearing after the fences, the 
meadows were traversed by wagon roads, the old mansions taken 
for hospitals or burned ; and, under their impromptu arbors of 
boughs, the Federal soldiers divided the proceeds of their forays 
upon the neighboring estates. The troops seem to have fully 
expected to take Richmond whenever a general advance was 
made upon it ; but General McClellan was not so well assured 
of the result. He seems to have shrunk from risking a battle, 
and evidently designed to capture the place by regular ap- 
proaches — to advance step by step, constructing powerful works 
as he proceeded, until his heavy guns should bear directly upon 
the city, and compel its evacuation. He was energetically pur- 
suing this design, when, on the 27th of July, he was compelled 



246 LITE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

to concentrate his army, as far as he could, behind Powhite Creek, 
near Cold Harbor, to protect himself from destruction. 

This battle has been much misunderstood. It has been re- 
garded by many persons as only a link in the chain of events, but 
it was in reality the day of decisive defeat for General McClellan. 
The action at Mechanicsville was comparatively an affair of the 
outpost, and the Federal commander promptly abandoned his 
position there, and concentrated his entire available force for 
the decisive struggle at Cold Harbor. He meant that to be the 
ground upon which the issue should be decided ; his ability to 
hold the works behind Powhite Creek, the test of every thing. 
They were stormed, and carried with the bayonet, and General 
McClellan had been defeated. What remained for him now was 
retreat; and all the fighting which followed was merely the 
effort of a good soldier to fall back in order, and save the rem- 
nant of his army. 

General McClellan's position was at that moment extremely 
embarrassing. As we have seen, he was called upon to decide 
rapidly whether he would retreat down the Peninsula, thus pre- 
serving his stores at the White House, or march across to James 
River, a movement the moral effect of which would be much 
better on the troops. He decided promptly upon the latter course, 
but successfully masked his intention. A force was left on the 
north bank of the Chickahominy, and General Lee was thus in 
doubt as to the intended line of retreat. When that force was 
attacked on the 28th, it retired to the southern bank, and the 
perilous retrograde movement through the swamps of Henrico 
and Charles City commenced. The ability displayed by General 
McClellan in this movement is unquestionable. Its success, 
with the subsequent campaign of the same commander in Mary- 
land, entitle him, aU things considered, to the palm of superiority 
over all other generals of the Federal army. At every step the 
Confederate advance was confronted by a powerful and admira- 
bly handled rear guard, supported by artillery ; and the skill and 
courage displayed by the Federal olBcers and troops, with the 
difficult character of the country, effected their object. At 



THE END OF THE DEAMA. 247 

"White Oak Swamp, the position chosen by General McClellan 
was so excellent that Jackson could make no impression upon it ; 
and at Frayser's Farm the Confederate columns were held in check 
until dark. On Malvern Hill a decisive stand was made, Mc- 
Clellan massed his artillery, fought with the fury of despair, and 
repulsed every assault upon his shattered ranks. When he 
reached Harrison's Landing, as he did on the same night, it was 
to his skiU and soldership alone that the Federal authorities owed 
the salvation of the army. 

The Northern forces had thus escaped utter rout, but the 
results achieved by General Lee's attack were very great. In 
mere war material these embraced fifty pieces of artillery, many 
thousands of small-arms, millions worth of property, and thou- 
sands of prisoners. But the supreme result M^as the deliverance 
of the Confederate capital. Richmond had unquestionably been 
in imminent danger of capture, and all hearts had begun to de- 
spond, when, in one afternoon, the Federal power in front of the 
city was effectually broken, and the campaign terminated. 

Jackson's part in these events has been described, and he 
now became absorbed in his favorite project of invading the 
North. This became his possessing thought, and was no secret 
from those with whom he conversed. As day after day passed, 
in the woods of Charles City, his impatience became extreme, 
and one night, while* lying down in his tent conversing with a 
confidential friend, he suddenly rose from his couch, struck it 
violently with his clenclied hand, and exclaimed : 

" Why don't we advance ! Now is the time for an advance 
into Pennsylvania ; McClellan is paralyzed, and the Scipio Afri- 
canus policy is the best ! Let the President only give me the 
men, and I wUl undertake it. I say this in no improper spirit. 
I will go under any one — under Ewell, or anybody who wiU 
fight. General Lee, I beKeve, would go, but perhaps he cannot." 
And then came that tribute to General Lee which we have 
already presented to the reader. 

The views of Jackson were not concurred in by the Con- 
federate authorities, who, menaced still by the force remaining 



248 LITE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

with General McClellan, and by the Federal army assembling at 
Warrenton, seemed to have considered their resources too limited 
to risk so important a movement, at such a distance from the 
capital. The absence, however, of those official revelations 
which are the basis of all just views of public events, renders 
any definite statement upon this subject premature. 

With two little incidents which belong to this period, we 
shall conclude our sketch of Jackson around Richmond. The 
first exhibits that sternness of spirit which his sweet smUe and 
courteous manner concealed, and is thus related by the person 
who witnessed it. Jackson sent an order to one of his officers, 
in the afternoon at Malvern Hill, to advance across the open 
space in front of the Federal works and attack them. The 
officer in question hurried to Jackson, and said almost rudely : 

" Did you order me to advance over that field, sir ? " 

Jackson's eye flashed under the rim of his cap, and, in his 
briefest tones, he said : 

" Yes." 

" Impossible, sir ! " exclaimed the officer, " my men will be 
annihilated ! Nothing can live there ! They will be annihilated I " 

Jackson listened in silence, but his face grew cold and rigid 
with displeasure. He gazed steadily for a moment at the 
speaker, raised his finger, and in low brief tones said : 

" General , I always endeavor to take care of my 

wounded and to bury my dead. You have heard my order — 
obey it ! " 

These words admitted of no reply, and the order was carried 
out. Tlie officer who relates the incident declares that he has 
never before or since seen such an expression as that which 
burned in the eye of Jackson as he uttered the above words. 
He looked "dangerous" — and that admonition closed the in- 
terview. 

The second incident displays the great personal popularity 
which Jackson had already secured. On tlie morning after the 
battle of Malvern Hill he was riding on the left of his line, when 
he met Colonel Munford of the cavalry, and after som,c words 




5?1)jr JC.B-<i.«=' 




MAJ- GEN- JOHN POPE- 



GENERAL POPE IN CULPEPPEil. 249 

upon military matters, asked him if he had managed to secure 
any breakfast. The Colonel informed him that he had, and 
Jackson said : 

" I should like to have some myself. I wonder if I can get 
some buttermilk ? " 

" Yes, General — come with me," was Colonel Munford's 
answer. 

And they rode to the plain mansion in which an old lady of the 
humbler class had furnished Colonel Munford with his breakfast. 

" Can I get some breakfast for General Jackson, madam?" 
asked the officer ; " he has had none to-day." 

"For whom?" exclaimed the good woman, pausing in her 
work and looking earnestly at the speaker. 

" For General Jackson," was the Colonel's reply. 

" General Jackson ! That is not General Jackson ! " she 
again exclaimed, pointing to the man in the dingy uniform. 

" Yes it is, madam." 

The old lady gazed at the General for a moment in silence ; 
her face flushed red, and raising both hands she suddenly burst 
into tears. 

Every thing in her house was produced without delay, includ- 
ing the longed-for buttermilk ; but nothing, evidently, in the old 
lady's estimation was good enough for her hero.* These things 
touched Jackson more than the plaudits of victory. 



CHAPTER Vni. 

GENEBAL POPE IN CULPEPPER. 

The disastrous issue of affairs on the Chickahominy took 
place at a moment when the Federal arms had achieved import 
ant successes in the West. 

In that quarter the Confederates had met with serious re- 

* These incidents are related on the authority of Colonel T. T. Muuford 
of the cavalry. 



250 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

verses. On the 30th of May General Beauregard had been 
compelled to fall back from Corinth, and on the 6th of June the 
Federal forces entered Memphis. They now held New Orleans, 
Baton Eouge, Natchez, and Memphis, on the Mississippi ; and 
though Vicksburg stiU held out, and the Federal troops had to 
abandon the siege, the general result of the campaign was more 
than favorable to their arms. It was in the midst of the rejoic- 
ing at these successes that the great blow fell on the Chickahom- 
iny, reversing all their hopes of an early termination of the 
conflict. 

The Federal authoi'ities did not, however, despair. The 
Southern successes were only the signal for still more gigantic 
preparations, and determined efforts to overthrow the Confed- 
eracy. President Lincoln called for 300,000 additional troops ; 
larger bounties were offered for recruits than had ever before 
been known in the history of any war ; and the Federal legisla- 
tion indicated the basis upon Avhich the hostilities were thereafter 
to be carried on. A biU passed Congress, confiscating the slaves 
of all persons adhering to the Confederate Government. An- 
other act directed slaves to be armed and enrolled as troops ; and 
military commanders were authorized to seize and make use of 
any property, real or personal, belonging to Southern sympa- 
thizers, " necessary or convenient for their commands," without 
compensation to their owners. The war was thus to be con- 
ducted upon the hypothesis that the Southern States were not 
belligerents according to the laws of nations, but outlawed com- 
binations beyond the pale of civilized warfare. 

Immediate steps were now taken to retrieve the disasters on 
the banks of the Chickahominy ; and, during the month of July, 
wliile General McClellan was still lying upon the hot shores of 
the James, fresh levies were rapidly hurried forward to "Wash- 
ington. That city became one great camp ; the forces lately 
under Generals Banks, McDowell, and Fremont, were concen- 
trated at the Capital ; and large re enforcements having arrived 
from McClellan, a very considerable army was soon ready to 
take the field. This body was styled the " Army of Virginia," 



GENERAL POPE IN CULPEPPER. 251 

and was speedily sent forward in detached columns to Warren- 
ton, Culpepper Court-House, and Fredericksburg, with a view 
to unite and advance upon Gordonsville. This force was placed 
under the command of Major-General John Pope, who was said 
to have declared that he had " never seen any thing of his ene- 
mies but their backs." 

General Pope reached the headquarters of the army, on the 
Orange and Alexandria Railroad, in a special car decked with 
streamers, and soon afterward, issued a genei'al order, in which 
he said to the troops : 

" I desire you to dismiss from your minds certain phrases, 
which I am sorry to find much in vogue among you. I hear 
constantly of taking strong positions, and holding them ; of lines 
of retreat, and bases of supplies. Let us discard such ideas. 
The strongest position which a soldier should desire to occupy is 
the one from which he can most easily advance upon the enemy. 
Let us study the probable line of retreat of our opponents, and 
leave our own to take care of itself. Let us look before and not 
behind. Disaster and shame lurk in the rear." 

General Pope then issued what was styled his " expatriation 
order." This directed that all male citizens disloyal to the United 
States should be immediately arrested, the oath of allegiance 
proffered them, and if they took it, and " furnished sufficient se- 
curity for its observance," they should be released. If they 
declined taking it they should be sent beyond the extreme Fed- 
eral pickets, and if found again within his lines should be treated 
as spies and shot. " If any person," said this order, " having 
taken the oath of allegiance, as above specified, be found to 
have violated it, he shall be shot, and his property seized and 
applied to the public use." In addition, " all communication 
with any person whatever living within the lines of the enemy," 
was prohibited ; and " any person concerned in writing, or in 
carrying letters or messages, will be considered and treated as a 
spy." General Steinwehr also issued an order directing that the 
prominent citizens of his district should be arrested and detained 
as hostages for the good behavior of the inhabitants, and made 



252 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

to suffer in their persons for the acts of partisans and " bush- 
whackers." If any of the Federal troops were " bushwhacked," 
one of the hostages should suffer death. 

The uncompromising hostility thus officially announced tow- 
ard the entire population by General Pope and his lieutenants, 
speedily became the rule of proceedings on the part of the troops. 
"Wholesale depredations were made upon the property of the cit- 
izens, and they were utterly unable to obtain fi-om the Federal 
officers either indemnity for the past or protection for the future. 
We refrain from entering into the disagreeable and repulsive 
details of these excesses of the troops — excesses which induced 
a writer in BlackwoocPs Magazine to declare that the war was 
being conducted " in a way that cast mankind two centuries 
back toward barbarism." A Federal writer thus describes the 
proceedings of the troops, and with his statement we dismiss the 
subject : 

" The Army of Virginia has undergone a marked change in 
a very important particular. The new usage which has been in- 
stituted in regard to the protection of Confederate property, and 
the purpose of the Government to subsist the army, as far as 
practicable, upon the enemy's coimtry, has produced a decided 
revolution in the feelings and practices of the soldiery, and one 
which seems to me very much to be regretted. 

" Unless these innovations are guarded by far more stringent 
safeguards against irregular and unauthorized plundering, we 
shall let loose upon the country, at the close of the war, a torrent 
of unbridled and unscrupulous robbers. Rapid strides toward 
villany have been made during the last few weeks. Men who 
at home would have shuddered at the suggestion of touching 
another's property, now appropriate remorselessly whatever 
comes in their reach. Thieving, they imagine, has now become 
an authorized practice, and, under the show of subsisting them- 
selves, chickens, turkeys, hams, and com have become a lawful 
plunder, with little discrimination as to the character or circum- 
stances of the original owner. 

" It is to me a very serious and unfortunate state of facts, 



GENEEAL POPE IN CULPEPPER. 253 

when soldiers will rush in crowds upon the smoke-house of a 
farmer, and each quarrel with the other to get the best and 
greatest share. I blush when I state that on the march, through 
a section of country, every spring-house is broken open, and 
butter, milk, eggs, and cream are engulphed, almost before the 
place is reached by the men. Calves and sheep, and, in fact, 
any thing and every thing serviceable for meat or drink, or 
apparel, are not safe a moment after the approach of the army. 
Even things apparently useless are snatched up, because, it 
would seem, many men love to steal. 

"At a place where I not long ago spent a night, scarcely an 
article to which the fertility of a soldier could suggest the slight- 
est use remained to the owner upon the following morning. 
There had been soldiers there, you might wager. Pans, kettles, 
dish-cloths, pork, poultry, provisions, and every thing desirable 
had disappeared. The place was stripped, and without any pro- 
cess of commissary or quartermaster. So it has been in innu- 
merable instances. Many a family, incapable of sustaining the 
slightest loss, has actually been deprived of all. 

" I not long ago saw a dozen soldiers rushing headlong 
through a field, each anxious to get the first choice of three horses 
shading themselves quietly under a tree. The animals made 
their best time into the farthest corner of the field, with the men 
close upon them ; and the foremost ones caught their prizes and 
bridled them as if they had a perfect immunity in such things. 
A scene followed. A young lady came out and besought the 
soldiers not to take her favorite pony. The soldiers were re- 
morseless and unyielding, and the pony is now in the army. 

" I know a case where a family were just seating themselves 
to dinner, when some of the soldiers being that way, they went 
in and swallowed every thing. That was not all ; but whatever 
in doors and out of doors the soldiers wanted was readily appro- 
priated, and the proprietor of the place told me sorrowfully that 
they had ruined him — he never could now get out of debt. I 
hardly regretted his misfortune so much on his account as for the 
influence of this thieving upon the soldiers. I was really grati- 



254 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

fied to hear his little boy say, ' Pap says he wouldn't vote the 
secessioQ ticket again if he had the chance.' His patriotism was 
evidently drawing too heavily upon his fortunes, and I was rejoiced 
to find him in an inquiring state of mind. But unless a check is 
given to this promiscuous and unauthorized plundering, the dis- 
cipline and value of the army will be destroyed ; and when the 
enlistments have expired we shall let loose a den of thieves upon 
the country." 

It is said that General Pope subsequently issued an order de- 
claring such proceedings unauthorized ; * but the Federal forces 
had accomplished their work. The land was green when they 
came, but they left a desert behind them. The fences were 
burned, the forests fcUed, the farm lands turned into common, 
and fathers of families began seriously to dread that their chil- 
di'en would starve. When the writer of this page passed through 
Culpepper in August, it was as much as he could do to procure 
food for himself and forage for his horse. 

General Pope advanced through Culpepper toward the Rap- 
idan, and had as yet encountered no enemy. His right extended 
to the foot of the Blue Ridge, and his left toward the confluence 
of the Rappahannock and Rapidan. This was the state of things 
in Culpepper in the last days of July. 



CHAPTER rS. 

CEDAR RUN. 



While General Pope thus advanced toward the Rapidan, 
seriously threatening with his large force the Central Railroad at 
GordonsviUe, General McClellan was still with a considerable 

* This was probably in consequence of General Order No. lOT from the 
United States War Department, issued August 15th, that ''no officer or sol- 
dier might, without proper authority, leave his colors or ranks to take private 
property, or to enter a private house for the purpose, under penalty of death." 



CEDAK KUN. 255 

portion of his army at Harrison's Landing, and professed to de- 
sign another advance on Richmond. It was thus necessary for 
the Confederate authorities to retain a sufficient number of troops 
at the capital to repulse any advance of the enemy from James 
River. It was equally important, however, to check General Pope ; 
and to that end, Jackson, who had gone into camp on the Me- 
chanicsville road, not far from Richmond, was directed to pro- 
ceed toward GordonsviUe, and guard that point against the 
threatened assault upon it. His OAvn " Old Division," and General 
Ewell's, were accordingly moved in that direction, and reached 
GordonsviUe on the 19th of July. Receiving reliable information 
that the Federal army in his front greatly outnumbered his own 
forces, Jackson sent back to General Lee for additional troops, 
and was reenforced by General A. P. Hill's division. 

It was not long before the advanced forces of cavalry on both 
sides came into collision. On the 2d of August, whUst Colonel 
Jones, by direction of Brigadier-General Robertson, was moving, 
with the 7th Virginia cavalry, to take charge of picket posts on 
the Rapidan, he received intelligence, before reaching Orange 
Court-House, that the enemy were in possession of that town. 
Continuing to advance. Colonel Jones found the main street fuU 
of Federal cavalry, and charged the head of the enemy's column 
— another portion of the regiment, under Major Marshall, at- 
tacking them in flank. Both attacks were successful, and the 
enemy were driven from the place. But the Confederate forces 
were stiU greatly outnumbered ; and, in consequence of the large 
body of the enemy in front, together with the fire of their flanking 
parties, Jones was compelled to fall back. He made another 
stand, however, not far from the town, and the Federal cavalry 
retired. In this brief contest, Colonel Jones, while gallantly 
charging at the head of his men, received a sabre wound, and 
Major Marshall was captured. 

Such was the attitude of the adversaries on the Rapidan in 
the first days of August : Jackson at GordonsviUe, General 
Pope ,at Culpepper Court-House, and the cavalry of the two 
armies in face of each other at Orange. 



256 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON, 

General Pope was waiting to be reenforced by General Pum- 
side, and the problem with the Confederate authorities was, 
where would the Federal flotilla, under the latter commander, 
make an attack? It lay in Hampton Roads, and was either in- 
tended for the Rappahannock or the James ; to operate with 
General Pope, or with General McClellan in another attack upon 
Richmond. The question was soon decided by a Confederate 
prisoner — Colonel John S. Mosby, the well-known partisan — 
who left Old Point to come up the river just as General Burnside 
was embarking infantry, cavalry, and artillery at Fortress Mon- 
roe. From a sure source he had obtained information that these 
troops were intended for the Rappahannock ; and as soon as the 
flag-of-truce boat stopped below Richmond, Colonel Mosby re- 
paired without delay to General Lee's headquarters and gave him 
the intelligence. General Stuart, then on an expedition toward 
the Rappahannock, had received the same information, but it 
could not be transmitted so quickly. It was despatched by relays 
of couriers to Jackson ; and the receipt of this intelligence prob- 
ably determined him to advance and attack General Pope before 
he was reenforced. 

This design was carried into execution with that vigor and 
rapidity which characterized all the movements of Jackson. On 
the 7th of August he moved from Gordonsville, with his entire 
force, in the direction of Barnett's ford, on the Rapidan, a few 
miles above the point where the Orange and Alexandria Railroad 
crosses the river ; and on the morning of the 8th Robertson's 
cavalry, which had advanced beyond the Rapidan, encountered 
the Federal cavalry on the road from Barnett's ford to Culpep- 
per Court-House. They were attacked, driven back, and pur- 
sued by General Robertson — the army continuing to advance on 
the track of the cavalry, with Ewcll's division in front. The day 
was spent in skirmishing with the Federal cavalry, and such was 
the activity and enterprise which they displayed that Jackson 
was obliged to send back an entire brigade to guard his trains. 
Lawton's was selected, and thus was not engaged in the battle. 

Jackson continued steadily to advance, bent on forcing Gen- 



CEDAR EUN. 257 

eral Pope to fight before his reenforcements arrived, and, if pos- 
sible, before Ms troops, scattered over a large extent of country, 
could be concentrated to resist the sharp iroa wedge with which 
the Confederate commander was about to pierce his adversary's 
centre. On the next day — August the 9th — Jackson had reached 
a point about eight miles from Culpepper Court-House, and here 
he came upon the enemy. 

The force in his front consisted, according to General Pope's 
official report, of Banks' and Sigel's corps, and a division from 
that of McDowell, amounting in all to 32,000 troops. Jackson 
had two divisions, and a portion of a third. 

The enemy were posted in force — infantry, cavalry, and artil- 
lery — on a crest of hills near the Culpepper road, a short dis- 
tance west and north of Slaughter's Mountain. In front, the 
country was open and undulating — a wheat-field and corn-field, 
in which the shocks were still standing in the August sunshine, 
extending between the opposing lines to the wooded crest, on 
which the Federal batteries were in position, ready to open 
when the Confederates advanced. A ridge on the right was 
occupied by a heavy body of Federal cavalry ; and the engage- 
ment opened in this part of the field. 

A battery, under Lieutenant Terry, was sent forward oppo- 
site the position of the Federal cavalry, and opened upon them 
with a vigor which soon drove them from the hill. As the cav- 
alry retired, a Federal battery beyond the crest of the hill en- 
gaged Lieutenant Terry ; and his fire having thus been diverted, 
the Federal cavalry returned, and again took position on the 
ridge. 

Dispositions were now made to commence the actiou in 
earnest. Jackson's division had not yet reached the field, but 
Ewell was put in motion to secure a position which would enable 
the whole Confederate force to attack with advantage. The 
command of Ewell was divided. Early's brigade was ordered 
to advance along the Culpepper road, and General Ewell, with 
his two remaining brigades — Trimble's and Hays'. Colonel Ferno 
commanding the latter — to diverge to the right, and passing 
17 



258 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

along the slope of Slaughter's Mountain, gain a position from 
which his artillery would command the ground occupied by the 
enemy. 

These movements were made without delay. Early, formed 
in line of battle, moved into the open field, and pushing forward 
to the right of the road drove the Federal cavalry before him to 
the crest of a hill which overlooked the entire space in his front. 
As Early mounted this hill, the Federal batteries opened upon 
him furiously ; heavy bodies of cavalry appeared in the wheat- 
field on his left ; and so hot was the artillery fire that he with- 
drew his troops for protection under the crest of the eminence. 
His own artillery was now hurried forward and posted on his 
right, near a clump of cedar trees, and four pieces, under Cap- 
tains Brown and Dement, opened a rapid fire upon the Federal 
batteries opposed to them. 

At this moment Jackson's old division, commanded by Brig- 
adier-General Charles Winder, arrived upon the field, and was 
disposed in order of battle. Campbell's brigade, commanded by 
Lieutenant-Colonel Garnett, Avas placed on the left, in a wood 
near the wheat-field ; the batteries of Poague, Carpenter, and 
Caskic, under IMajor Andrews, took position parallel to the road, 
with Taliaferro's brigade as a support ; and Winder's (" Stone- 
wall") brigade. Colonel Ronald commanding, was held in re- 
serve. At the moment when the troops moved to their positions 
one of the saddest events of the day took place. General Winder 
was proceeding to direct the fire of the batteries, with that skill 
and coolness which had attracted the attention of all in so many 
bloody encounters, when a shell exploded in front of him, and a 
fragment mortally wounded him. 

" It is difficult," says Jackson, " in the proper reserve of an 
official report, to do justice to the merits of this accomplished 
otficer. Urged by the Medical Director to take no part in the 
movements of the day, because of the then enfeebled state of his 
health, his ardent patriotism and military pride could bear no 
such restraint. Richly endowed with those qualities of mind 
and person which fit an officer for command, and which attract 



CEDAR RUN. 259 

the admiration and excite the enthusiasm of troops, he was rap- 
idly rising to the front rank of his profession. His loss has been 
severely felt." 

The command of Jackson's division now devolved on Briga- 
dier-General "W. B. Taliaferro, whose own brigade was com- 
manded during the remainder of the action by Colonel A. Gr. 
Taliaferro. 

Meanwhile, Ewell moving to the right, with his two bri- 
gades, had reached an elevated position on the northwestern 
shoulder of Slaughter's Mountain. Plere, at a point about two 
hundred feet above the valley, he posted Latimer's battery, and 
opened a rapid and destructive fire upon the enemy. This was 
echoed by the guns of Andrews on the left ; and for two hours 
an incessaut cannonade was kept up between the opposing bat- 
teries. In this artillery engagement the enemy were seriously 
damaged ; but the Confederate loss was also considerable. Ma- 
jor Andrews, among others, was severely wounded and borne 
from the field. 

Jackson had not attempted an advance upon the Federal 
lines. He was waiting for General A. P. Hill, who had not yet 
come up. Encouraged by this apparent timidity and disinclina- 
tion to attack, the Federal commander, about five o'clock in the 
afternoon, threw forward a dense line of skirmishers in the 
corn-field which has been mentioned, and these were followed by 
an advance of bis infantry, up to this moment concealed in the 
woods behind his batteries. As this heavy column advanced on 
the left, another body debouched into view from a small valley 
hidden by an undulation of the ground on Early's right. This 
latter force charged straight upon Early's batteries, and he was 
at once engaged in a hot encounter, which gradually extended 
from his right to his left. At this period of the action Hill's 
division reached the field, and Jackson sent forward Thomas' 
brigade to Early's support, which arrived in time to strengthen 
his small line, and render most valuable assistance. 

The attack on his right, however, did not deceive Jackson. 
The main body of the enemy was still massed in front of his 



200 LITE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

centre and left, and the anticipated attempt to turn that flank 
was speedily made. Under cover of the attack upon Early, a 
strong column moved at a double-quick from the wood, throu;rh 
the corn and wheat-field, swept forward over every obstacle, 
and turning the Confederate left flank, poured a hot and deadly 
fire into Jackson's rear. So sudden and determined was this 
assault, that the troops were almost surrounded before they 
knew it ; and nothing remained for them but to fall back to a 
new position. The enemy gave them no time to reflect. They 
rushed forward with deafening yells, pouring a teri'ific fire into 
the wavering lines, and the day seemed lost. In vain did the 
Confederate ofiicers attempt to hold the men steady. Captain 
B. W. Leigh, commanding the 1st Virginia battalion, took the 
colors of his battalion and rode in front, directly down the road, 
exposed to a concentrated fire ; and his brother officers exposed 
themselves with equal gallantry. But these eiforts were use- 
less. The left of Taliaferro's brigade was turned, and fell back ; 
this exposed Early, and his left also retired in confusion, though 
the remainder of his line maintained its ground. 

The fate of the day, in that portion of the field at least, 
seemed now decided. The infantry had been flanked and driven 
back ; the artillery, finding itself in imminent danger of capture, 
was rushed from the position which it had occupied, toward the 
rear, and as it disappeared the enemy redoubled their volleys, 
pressing the retreating Confederates with all the vigor of antici- 
pated triumph. 

At this moment of disaster and impending ruin Jackson ap- 
peared, amid the clouds of smoke, and his voice was heard rising 
above the uproar and the thunder of the guns. The man, ordi- 
narily so cool, silent, and deliberate, was now mastered by the 
genius of battle. In feature, voice, and bearing, burned the 
gaudium certaminis — the resolve to conquer or die. Galloping 
to the front, amid the hea^-y fire dii'ccted upon his disordered 
lines, now rapidly giving way — with his eyes flashing, his face 
flushed, his voice rising and ringing like a clarion on every ear, 
he rallied the confused troops and brought tliem into line. At 



CEDAR RUN. 261 

the same moment the old Stonewall Brigade and Branch's bri- 
gade advanced at a double-quick, and shouting, " Stonewall Jack- 
son ! Stonewall Jackson ! " the men poured a galling fire into 
the Federal lines. The presence of Jackson, leading them in 
person, seemed to produce an indescribable influence on the 
troops, and as he rode to and fro, amid the smoke, encouraging 
the men, they greeted bim with resounding cheers. This was 
one of the few occasions when he is reported to have been mas- 
tered by excitement. He had forgotten apparently that he com- 
manded the whole field, and imagined himself a simple colonel 
leading his regiment. Everywhere, in the thickest of the fire, 
his form was seen and his voice heard, and his exertions to rally 
the men were crowned with success. The Federal advance was 
checked, the repulsed troops re-formed, and led once more into 
action, and with Jackson in front the troops swept forward and 
reestablished their lines upon the ground from which they had 
been driven. 

Those who saw Jackson when he thus galloped to the front, 
and thus rallied his men in the very jaws of destruction, declare 
that he resembled the genius of battle incarnate. 

The advance of the Federal forces was thus checked. They 
were forced to retire still more rapidly, and the Stonewall Bri- 
gade closed in on their right, and drove them back with terrible 
slaughter through the woods.* This brigade and that of Branch 
maintained their position in spite of vigorous attempts on the 
part of the enemy to dislodge them, and were at length reen- 
forced by the brigades of Archer and Pender. These were hur- 
ried forAvard to the threatened point, the lines were re-formed, 
and a general charge was made all along the Confederate front. 
This charge swept every thing before it. The enemy were 
driven across the field, into the opposite woods. 

To retrieve this disaster they had recourse to their cavalry. 
As Jackson's lines swept forward, the men heard the tramp of 
horsemen, and aU at once a column of Federal cavalry made an 

* Jacksou's report. 



262 LITE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

impetuous clmrge. At the next moment it retired in disorder 
before the determined volleys poured into it. Taliaferro liad 
met it in front and Branch assailed it in flank. From this com- 
bined attack it recoiled and hastily retreated from the field. 

On the right Ewcll had been forced to remain inactive. The 
incessant fire of the Confederate batteries in the valley, sweep- 
ing the only approaches to the Federal left, had prevented him 
from advancing. This diflRculty now no longer existed, and he 
promptly threw forward his column. His front was covered 
by skirmishers from the 15th Alabama, which had performed 
a similar duty with so much gallantry at Cross Keys, and the 
brigades advanced iu echelon of regiments, Trimble in advance, 
under a furious fire of artillery, with which the Federal guns 
endeavored to check their progress. As Ewell advanced against 
the Federal left, the confusion into which their right had been 
thrown by the obstinate and determined attack of Jackson iu 
person, was commimicated to their entire line. They Avavered ; 
and thus repulsed from the Confederate left and centre, and now 
pressed steadily by the right centre and left, they fell back at 
every point, broke in confusion, and leaving their dead and 
wounded on the field, retreated to the shelter of the Avoods, into 
which they were pursued. 

The bloody contest had thus terminated in the complete re- 
pulse of the Federal forces. Jackson had captui-ed 400 prison- 
era, among them a brigadier-general, 5,302 small-arms, one 
Napoleon gun and caisson, with two other caissons and a limber, 
and three stands of colors. His loss was 223 killed, and 1,060 
wounded. The Federal loss was not known. Among the Con- 
federate officers who fell, the fate of none excited more sympathy 
than that of General Charles Winder and Colonel Richard II. 
Cunningham. They were both in feeble health, and had been 
strenuously advised by their physicians not to take part in the 
action, but the sound of the guns was irresistible. They took 
command of their men, and fell iu the action. 

Such was the battle of Cedar Hun. It completely checked 
General Pope's advance, and will take its place among Jack- 



JACKSON PLTKSUES. 263 

son's most important successes. The Federal force opposed to 
him was undoubtedly much larger than his own, and we have 
seen that at one period of the battle the Confederate line was in 
imminent danger of a complete repulse. That repulse, however, 
had been prevented by the timely arrival of Jackson, who, by a 
reckless exposure of his person, rallied the troops, and led them 
again in the charge which drove back the enemy. 

As night descended upon the battle-field, a full moon rose, 
pouring upon the scene of carnage its melancholy radiance. 
The pallid beams fell on the upturned faces of the dead, the 
forms of the wounded, and upon countenances distorted in the 
last agony. Jackson had added another to the roll of his vic- 
tories, and the weary troops who had won the day with so 
much difficulty lay down to sleep, the red battle-flags fluttering 
above them in the dim moonlight. 



CHAPTER X. 

JACKSON PURSUES. 

Thus commenced that important movement of the Confeder- 
ate forces northward, which drove the enemy from Virginia, and 
obliged him, finally, to concentrate his entire available strength 
in Maryland, for the defence of his own soil. 

General Pope had commenced his campaign with an appai 
ent conviction that nothing could resist his triumphal progress, 
but his imposing advance had been entirely checked, and he was 
now rapidly retreating to that "rear," where, to use his owti 
words," lurked disaster and shame." The hand which had 
thus heavily struck him was that of the ubiquitous leader of the 
Valley. Two months before, Jackson had defeated Generals 
Shields and Fremont, at Port Republic ; within three weeks 
thereafter, his troops had suddenly appeared near Richmond, and 
throwing themselves upon General McClellan had decided thcj 



2GJr LITE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

fortunes of the day at Cold Harbor. Now the same men under 
their active and indefatigable commander had emerged from the 
"woods of Culpepper, in front of General Pope, and checked his 
advance. The presence of Jackson at this point had greatly 
astonished the Federal forces. But a short time before the bat- 
tle, he was supposed to be rapidly advancing doAvn the Valley 
upon Winchester. The Federal camps there had been thrown 
into a tumult by this intelligence, the drums beat to arms, and 
the Federal soldiers, we are informed by one of their own writ- 
ers, reminded each other of the blunt words of Jackson, when 
he had been compelled to retire from the town in May, that he 
would " return again shortly, and as certainly as now." When 
the troops there were thus beating the long roll in expectation 
of his coming, he was near Gordonsville ; and before their appre- 
hensions had subsided, he had crossed the Rapidau, and driven 
back General Pope. There was some ground for the statement, 
that the enemy began to experience toward Jackson the senti- 
ment of the Scottish mothers of the middle ages, Avhen they 
quieted their crying children with the threat, " Hush ! or the 
Black Douglas will get you ! " 

General Pope evidently anticipated a different result from 
the engagement at Cedar Run. When the firing commenced he 
was in rear of Culpepper Court House, and he announced the 
fact to his Government by telegraph, adding : " I go to the front 
to see." He is said, however, not to have reached the scene of 
action, or taken any part in the engagement. 

The battle of Cedar Run was disputed obstinately, and con- 
tinued until night. The Confederate troops were much ex- 
hausted by their march, and the hard fighting combined, and 
the hours of darkness were not propitious for an advance ; but 
Jackson was so anxious to follow up his success and reach the 
Federal stronghold at Culpepper Court-House before morning, 
that he determined to pursue without delay. An advance was 
accordingly ordered, with Hill's division in front, and after pro- 
ceeding cautiously for a mile and a half the troops came upon 
the Fsderal forces. Jackson sent forward Pegram's battery, 



JACKSON PURSUES. 265 

supported by Field's brij^ade, with directions to feel the Federal 
position with artillery ; and the battery suddenly opened, throw- 
ing the Federal forces into great confusion. They rapidly ran 
three or foui' batteries into position, and replied with a heavy 
fii-e. A cannonade then commenced, and continued for some 
time, when the Federal fire having become very severe, Pegrara 
was ordered to withdraw his guns. Colonel Jones, of the cav- 
ahy, having made a reconnoissance in front and toward the 
right of the Confederate lines, and ascertained that Federal 
reSnforcements had arrived, Jackson considered it imprudent to 
continue the forward movement in the darkness, and ordered a 
halt for the night. This terminated the fighting for that day. 

A gentleman serving on Jackson's staff at this time gives 
the following glimpse of him after the action. It may interest 
those readers who are fond of personal and familiar details. 
On the night of the battle, Jackson was excessively fatigued and 
terribly hungry. His headquarter wagons rarely kept up, and 
to find them was always a sore labor Avith him. It frequently 
happened, indeed, that from simple want of food he would stop 
at some camp-fire, share the rations of the men, and after a 
familiar talk, go on his way. On this night he sought in vain 
for his wagons, and rode about from camp to camp until he was 
wearied out. Passing near the bivouac of the Stonewall 
Brigade, they recognized his figure by the moonlight ; and start- 
ing to their feet, the men greeted him with enthusiastic cheers. 
From this he soon escaped, and returning to the subject of ra- 
tions, declared that if he only had some milk, of which he was 
very fond, he would be happy. None could be procured, the 
wagons were not found, and worn out with fatigue, the General 
wrapped himself in his old cloak, stretched himself flat on his 
breast under a tree, and instantly fell asleep. 

On the following morning it began to rain, and suspecting 
that the enemy had been heavUy reenforced during the night 
Jackson determined not to undertake a further advance. He 
accordingly gave directions for his wounded to be sent to the 
rear, the dead to be buried, and the arms abandoned by the 



2GG LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

enemy in their flight to be collected from the battlc-Beld. In 
the course of the morning General J. E. B. Stuart arrived, and, 
at Jackson's request, took command of the cavalry, and made a 
reconnoissance. The result of this, and information from other 
sources, convinced Jackson that the enemy had been strongly 
reenforced. He therefore determined not to hazard another 
battle in his weakened condition, and after remaining long 
enough to make all his preparations, retire. The Federal com- 
mander seemed in no haste to renew the conflict ; and on the 
11th — nearly two days after the battle — sent a flag of truce, re- 
questing permission until two o'clock to bury such of his dead 
as the Confederates had not interred. This was granted, and 
the time afterwards extended, at General Pope's request, to 
five p. M. 

The Confederate forces remained in position ready to repulse 
any attack until night, when Jackson fell back toward the Rap- 
idan. He recrossed that river, and on the 14th of August — " to 
render thanks to God for the victory at Cedar Run, and other 
past victories, and to implore His continual favor in the future — 
Divine service was held in the army." On the plains of Orange, 
as amid the blue ranges of the mountains after McDowell, the 
men bent their bronzed faces in prayer to the Giver of Victory. 

On the 11th of August, while in front of the enemy, some 
one said : " General, you have sent no despatch announcing your 
victory." 

Jackson at once took a pencil, and wrote on his knee some 
lines which he handed to the speaker, Avith the question : 

"How will that do?" 

" Well, General," was the reply, " it is pretty much a 
repetition of your other despatches ; but this battle is a repeti- 
tion of the others too, and I suppose it Avill do." 

The despatch was as follows : 

Headquaktkks Valley District, August Wth — 6:15 A. sr. 
Colonel : On the evening of the 9th instant God blessed our arms with 
another victory. The battle was near Cedar Run, about six miles from Cul- 
pepper Court-llouse. The euemy, according to statements of prisoners, con- 



LEE ADVANCES FROM THE KAPIDAN. 2t>7 

Bisted of Banks', McDowell's, and Sigel's commands. We have over four 
hundred prisoners, including Rrigadier-General Prince. Whilst our list of 
killed is less than that of the enemy, yet we have to mourn the loss of some 
of our best officers and men. Bi-igadier-Geueral Charles S. Winder waa 
mortally wounded whilst ably discharging his duty at the head of his com- 
mand, which was the advance of the left wing of the army. We have col- 
lected about 1,500 small-arms and other ordnance stores. 
I am, Colonel, your obedient servant, 

T. J. JACKSON, Maj.-Gen. Commanding. 
Colonel E. H. Chilton, A. A. G. 



General Pope's was ui tliese words 

Headquaei 
Cedar Mouktain, Avgust 12th — T:30 a. 



Headquarters Army op Virginia, j 

M. f 



To Major-General Halleck : 

The enemy has retreated under cover of the night. 

His rear is now crossing the Rapidan toward Orange Court-House. 

Our cavalry and artillery are in pursuit. 

JOHN POPE, Major-General, &c. 



CHAPTER XI. 

LEE ADVANCES FROM THE RAPIDAN. 

Jackson thus retired before the enemy toward Orange Court- 
House, and the Federal cavahy contented themselves with hover- 
ing on his rear and observing his march. The significance of 
his retrograde movement was doubtless well understood, and was 
justly regarded as the drawing back of the arm about to strike 
a heavier blow. 

The result of the battle of Cedar Ran seems to have con- 
vinced the Federal authorities that to make any headway in the 
new field of operations on tlie Rappahannock, it would be neces- 
sary to concentrate in that region aU the troops operating in 
Virginia. A brief period only had therefore elapsed before a 
fleet of transports appeared in James River, proceeded to Harri- 
son's Landing, and took on board the entire remnant of General 



268 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

McClellau's army, -whicli had remained there under protection 
of the gunboats since the defeat on the Chickahominy. The 
plan of the Federal authorities was to unite General McClellan's 
forces with tliose of General Pope ; to hurry forward from 
Fredericksburg the troops under General Burnside, and, forming 
one great army of these three distinct bodies, concentrate them 
between the Rappahannock and the Rapidan, with a view to 
penetrate the heart of Virginia, cut the communications of the 
Confederate capital, and either drive the Government from the 
State, or reduce it to submission. « 

This design was energetically undertaken, and the Confed- 
erates were promptly called on to decide whether they would 
stand on the defensive, for the protection of Richmond against 
this new attack, or advance upon the enemy, and " carry the 
war into Africa." 

The latter determination was speedily arrived at ; offensive 
operations were decided upon ; and no sooner had General Lee 
satisfied himself that General McClellan was evacuating his po- 
sition on James River, than he hastened to put his troops in 
motion to attack General Pope before the expected reenforce- 
ments reached him. 

The Confederate forces were accordingly concentrated in the 
neighborhood of Gordonsville ; and on the 15th of August Jack- 
son advanced, passed Orange Court-House, and camped on the 
same evening near Mount Pisgah Church. The force under his 
command at this time consisted of 

Ewell's Division — embracing the brigades of Lawton, Early, 
Trimble, and Hays (Colonel Femo commanding the latter) ; with 
the batteries of Brown, Dement, Latimer, Balthus, and D'Aquiu. 

A. P. Hill's Division — embracing tlie brigades of Branch, 
Gregg, Field, Pender, Archer, and Thomas ; with the batteries 
of Braxton, Latham, Crenshaw, Mcintosh, Davidson, and 
Pegram. 

Jackson's (old) Division, Brigadier-General "W. B. Talia- 
ferro commanding — embracing the brigades of Winder (Colonel 
Baylor), Campbell (Major Scddou), Taliaferro (Colonel A. G. 



LEE ADVANCES FKOM THE EAPIDAN. 2G9 

Taliaferro), and Stai'ke ; with the batteries of Brockenbrough, 
Wooding, Poague, Carpeater, Caskie, and Raines. 

The Old Division was thus commanded by a brigadier-gen- 
eral, and its brigades by colonels and majors — a significant 
commentary upon the gallantry of its ofiicers, who had been ter- 
ribly thinned out in the fierce encounters through which it had 
passed. 

" Major-General Stuart," says Jackson, " with his cavalry 
cooperated during the expedition, and I shall more than once 
have to acknowledge my obligations for the valuable and efficient 
aid which he rendered." 

Jackson remained at Mount Pisgah until the 20th, General 
Longstreet not having completed his preparations to advance ; 
but all being at last ready, the army moved across the Rapidan 
on that day, and the campaign began. General Lee appears to 
have designed an attack on General Pope's left flank and rear, 
with a view to cut off his retreat to the Rappahannock by the 
line of the railroad, when the whole Federal army would either 
be forced to fight at a disadvantage, or surrender themselves 
prisoners of war. With this end in view, Longstreet moved by 
way of Raccoon ford, and Jackson by way of Somerville ford, 
on the Rapidan. Once beyond the river, Jackson pushed on 
without delay, and on the same night reached Stevensburg, a 
little village on the main road from Culpepper Court-House to 
Fi'edericksburg, and almost opposite the left flank of the enemy. 

It may interest some of our readers to have a glimpse of the 
Southern troops upon the march. History deals in generalities ; 
but the actual picture, however homely, is more interesting, if not 
as valuable, as the " official statement." From the journal of an 
eye-witness we extract the following paragraphs relating to the 
movements of the troops : 

" August 20. — ^Army crossed the Rapidan, the water thigh- 
deep. Scene exciting and amusing. « * » * 

^'■August 21. — The enemy in close proximity, and we have 
to move cautiously. * * * From a hiU on the other side of 
the Rapidan we have a magnificent vieAv for miles. Three col- 



270 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON- 

umns — long black winding lines of men, their muskets gleaming 
in the sunshine like silver spears — are in sight, moving in the 
direction of Fredericksburg or dovpn the opposite bank of the 
river. Those skirmishing in front. Good many stragglers by 
the wayside, but they are generally broken-down soldiers, and 
trudge slowly along in the tracks of their comrades. An at- 
tractive part of the procession is the baggage trains, wending 
their way in the rear of the army. Thousands of wagons are 
in sight, and between the stalling of ti*ains, the shouting of 
drivers, and the chaotic confusion which emanates from the 
motley mass, no man can complain of the ennui of the march. 

" Nothing can be more picturesquely beautiful than the biv- 
ouac at night. Thousands of troops line the woods on both 
sides of the road for miles. Camp-fires are glimmering in the 
trees, muskets are stacked along the edge of the forest, and the 
men are disposed in every conceivable manner. Some are rolled 
up in their blankets and already dreaming away the fatigues of 
the day ; some are sitting around the camp-fires, Avatching the 
roasting ears, and discussing the ' coming events which cast 
their shadows before,' and some are among the trees, moving to 
and fro in the gray film of smoke that has arisen from the myr- 
iad fires and rests upon the earth. We live on what we can 
get — now and then an ear of corn, fried green apples, or a bit 
of ham broiled on a stick, but quite as frequently do without 
cither from morning until night. We sleep on the ground with- 
out any other covering than a blanket, and consider ourselves 
fortunate if "we are not frozen stiff before morning. The nights 
are both damp and cold." 

A portion of this extract paints with gi'cat accuracy the com- 
missariat of the Southern army. " A bit of ham broiled on a 
stick" was a luxury with the men, and the time was soon to 
come when it would be wholly unattainable ; when the entire 
force would be called on to subsist upon green corn roasted on 
the embers — sole bill of fare of the tired and hungry soldier. 

General Lee had thus massed his army between the Eappa- 
hannock and the Rapidan, directly on the enemy's flank ; but in 



LEE ADVANCES FEOM THE EAPEDAN. 271 

his expectation of a decisive battle there, he soon found himself 
disappointed. General Pope had no intention of renewing a 
trial of strength with the Confederates after his experience at 
Cedar Run ; and with a prudence which ill assorted with his 
publicly expressed determination to take no step toward that 
"rear" where "lurked disaster and shame," he no sooner sus- 
pected the intended attack than he fell back promptly to the 
north bank of the Rappahannock, and, crowning every hill with 
his batteries, prepared to dispute the passage of the river. 

Jackson lost no time in following up this retreat of the ene- 
my, and on the 2ist moved with Taliaferro's brigade in front to 
Beverly's ford, the main crossing of the Rappahannock, just 
above the point where the railroad intersects it. The enemy 
were seen in force on the opposite bank, and Jackson promptly 
ordered forward the batteries of his division under Major Shu- 
maker, which opened fire and succeeded in silencing the Federal 
artillery, and dispersing their infantry supports. This repulse, 
however, was only temporary. General Stuart, who had made 
a reconnoissance beyond the Rappahannock with his cavalry and 
horse artillery, reported an advance in force, and heavy columns 
soon appeared on the opposite bank. Their batteries were 
placed in position, and a rapid and determined artillery duel en- 
sued between the Federal batteries and those of Taliaferro. 
This lasted all day, and when the shades of night descended 
the landscape was still lit up by bursting shell and the lurid glare 
of the cannon. 

On the morning of the 2 2d Jackson withdrew from the ene- 
my's front at Beverly's ford, and advancing vip the bank of the 
river with Ewell in front, crossed Hazel River, a tributary of 
the Rappahannock, at Welford's ford. Here Trimble's brigade 
was left to protect the flank of the wagOQ train from attack, 
and the necessity of this precaution was soon rendered apparent. 
About noon a small party of the enemy made a dash at the 
train and captured a portion of it. They were attacked, how- 
ever, in turn, the wagons recaptured, and the whole party made 
prisoners. About four o'clock a more determined effort was 



272 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

made to delay Jackson's march, and cut off his trains. A con- 
siderable Federal force crossed the river below, and attacked the 
wagons, but this met with no better success. Trimble, sup- 
ported by Ilood (commanding General Longstrect's advance), 
met this party, and after a sharp engagement routed and drove 
them beyond the river again, a considerable portion of their 
force having been taken prisoners. 

Jackson continued to advance, paying little attention to these 
assaults on his rear, and reached a point opposite Freeman's 
ford, the next ford above the mouth of Hazel River. This he 
found guarded by a strong force, and he marched on to Warren- 
ton Springs, on the old stage road from "Warrenton to Culpepper 
Court-Houi?e. Here he found the bridge over the river de- 
stroyed, but the point slightly guarded, and no time was lost in 
endeavoring to secure a position of so much importance. The 
13th Georgia, Colonel Douglas, with the eight guns of Brown 
and Dement, and afterwards Early's brigade, were ordered to 
cross, and the Springs were soon in his possession, with a num- 
ber of prisoners. 

This movement had no sooner been effected than it com- 
menced raining, and Early's position became one of very great 
peril. The Federal forces were rapidly approaching to attack 
him ; the river began to rise, and he was completely cut off from 
the main body on the southern bank. Urgent messages were 
despatched by General Early describing his situation, and stating 
that a reconnoissance in person had discovered the enemy in his 
front and on both flanks. To this Jackson responded briefly : 

" Tell General Early to hold his position." 

The 23d passed, and the enemy were nearly in collision with 
Early. But Jackson had not been idle. Details of men had 
been constructing all day a temporary bridge over the swollen 
river, and by dawn on the 24th the infantry and artillery were 
all safely over on the southern bank again. Early had scarcely 
crossed when the enemy pressed forward, and a fierce cannon- 
ade commenced between their batteries and those of Hill. 

At the very moment when Jackson was thus feeling the en- 



LEE ADVANCES FEOM THE EAPIDAN. 273 

emy on the Kappahannock, General Stuart, at the head of his 
cavalry, had by one of those bold dashes which characterized 
him, penetrated to their rear, and, in the midst of night and 
storm, struck them at Catlet's Station, on the Orange and Alex- 
andria Railroad, where General Pope then was in person. The 
men on this occasion behaved with much gallantry, charging at 
a gallop through the midnight darkness, deepened by a heavy 
thunder-storm, over rough and unknown ground, upon the camps 
of the enemy. The attack threw every thing into confusion, 
and the Federal officers fled from their tents into the darkness, 
almost without firing a shot ; but a heavy volley from their men, 
behind the railroad, was poured into the faces of the southern 
horsemen. General Pope escaped, leaving his coat and hat be- 
hind, but several of his officers were captured. The most val- 
uable part of the captured property was a box of official papers, 
which are said to have clearly exhibited the strength of his 
army ; his anxious desire for reenforcements ; his expectation 
that they would soon arrive ; and the slender hopes which he 
indulged of holding his ground, if the Confederate commander 
attacked him in force. General Stuart hastened to lay these 
valuable documents before General Lee, and tlie revelations 
which they afforded of the enemy's numbers and designs, prob- 
ably led to the decisive movement which speedily followed the 
raid. 

General Lee determined to send a column against the ene- 
my's rear, to get between him and Washington, cut his com- 
munications, and in conjunction with the rest of the army, which 
would follow, engage his whole force, and capture or destroy it 
before it could retreat to the Potomac. This movement would 
necessarily be attended vdth great peril, as the force thus de- 
tached would be entirely separated from the main body under 
Lee ; would move straight to a position directly in the path of 
the retreating enemy, and might be called upon to sustain the 
assault of his entire column before succor could reach it. To 
effect the object of the commander-in-chief, the utmost energy, 
judgment, and decision were necessary in the officer who under- 
18 



274 LITE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

took the expedition, and a man must be selected who had capei- 
city to operate alone, and whose movements would be rapid and 
decisive. The officer selected to conduct this flank movement 
was Jackson. 



CHAPTER XII. 

THE M^VHCn TO MANASSAS. 

Jackson lost no time. On Monday, the 2oth of August, he 
retired from the position opposite Warrenton Springs, and as- 
cending the banks of the Rappahannock, passed through the lit- 
tle village of AmissviUe, and crossed the river at Kinson's ford, 
dragging his artillery .with difficulty up the narrow and rock- 
ribbed road beyond. From this moment rapidity of movement 
was essential to success. The presence of Jackson in that re- 
gion could not long be concealed, and it was vitally important 
that the Confederate forces should push on and pass through 
Thoroughfare Gap — their proposed line of advance — ^before the 
enemy could occupy that strong fortress and bar their passage. 

The famous " Foot Cavalry " were now called upon to put 
forth their utmost strength. A long and exhausting march was 
before them ; every moment was precious ; Thoroughfare Gap 
must be reached before the enemy arrived, and the ordinary 
rules of marching must be changed. As though recognizing 
the truth of the maxim that wherever two men can place their 
feet an army can move, Jackson pushed on beneath the shadow 
of the Blue Ridge, " across open fields," declai*es one of hi? 
men, " by strange country roads and comfortable homesteads, 
by a little town in Fauquier, called Orleans, on and on, as if he 
would never cease." "When the Confederate forces advanced by 
(he same route in June, 1863, a soldier asked an old negro 
whither the road which they were then travelling led. 

" All right, master," replied the old man, with an astute 



THE MAKCH TO MANASSAS. 275 

smile, " you are going the same road Mass Jackson took last year, 
only lie took the nigh cuts I " 

By these " nigh cuts," through fields and farm gates, often 
through gaps hastily opened in the fences, Jackson continued to 
advance. The troops were not permitted to pause for an in- 
stant ; weary, footsore, almost without food, they were still 
marched steadily forward, and at night, worn out hut gay, hun- 
gry but full of enthusiasm, they bivouacked near the town of 
Salem, ou the Manassas Gap Railroad. 

An officer of Jackson's staff presents a sketch of the leader 
and his men at this moment, which is interesting. 

"When his corps reached Salem," says this MS., "Gen- 
eral Jackson rode up to the officer commanding the front 
brigade, and complimented him upon the good condition of his 
men, and the fine march made that day. They had then 
travelled more than twenty miles, and were still moving on 
briskly, and without stragglers. General Jackson stood on the 
side of the road, and looked with evident pleasure on the full and 
well-closed ranks ; and when they commenced their usual cheer- 
ing, be raised his hand to stop them, and all along the lines 
went the words, ' Don't shout, boys, the Yankees will hear us ! ' 
The regiments passed by without music or noise, not even a 
loud-spoken word could be heard, nothing but the steady tramp 
of the men. As they passed, they raised their caps, and waved 
them around their heads, and the enthusiastic love which beamed 
on every countenance, showed how hard it was to suppress the 
usual greeting. Those who saw General Jackson that evening 
as he sat on his horse, cap in hand, with the westering sun 
shining full on his firm kind face, could not say that he was 
without pride. He was fuU of it — his face all aglow with it ; 
but it was for his men, not one iota for himself. When they 
bad all passed, he turned and said : ' Who could fail to win vic- 
tory with those men ! ' " 

In other portions of the line the men could not restrain their 
enthusiasm at sight of the dingy uniform, the old yellow cap, 
and the firm face beneath. In spite of every caution, and the 



276 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

orders of the General in person, they whirled their caps around 
their heads, and cheered him tumultuously. To this the soldier- 
heart of Jackson succumbed, the disobedience of orders was 
forgotten, and turning to a person near him, with a proud smile 
wliich he could not suppress, he said : " You see I can't stop 
them ! " 

Reaching Salem at midnight, the troops were again in mo- 
tion at daylight ; and passing " crowds, all welcoming, cheering, 
staring with blank amazement" at the sight of Confederate 
troops in that region, pressed on tlu'ough the plains to Thorough- 
fare Gap. The mountain-gorge was undefended, the enemy 
had been " headed off; " and passing rapidly between the frown- 
ing ramparts ■with their belts of dusky pines, Jackson with his 
army, hungry and exhausted, but as resolute as ever, descended 
like a hawk upon Manassas. 

General Pope in his official report declares that he knew of 
Jackson's movement. If he estimated its importance correctly, 
his failure to oppose it is not flattering to his skill as a command- 
er. It is probable, however, that he regarded it as a move- 
ment chiefly if not entirely of cavalry, a mere raid against his 
depot at Manassas. It is improbable that the amount of force 
under Jackson was discovered. General Stuart was on the 
right flank of the Confederate column with a cordon of pickets, 
and a network of scouting parties, scouring the whole region,' 
and to penetrate Stuart's chain of videttes, in any important 
movement, was next to impossible. Had General Pope felt con- 
vinced that the force advancing to assail his rear was not a body 
of cavalry only, but an army corps under a commander so active 
and dangerous as Jackson, his operations on the Rappahannock 
would doubtless have terminated two days sooner. Thorough- 
fare Gap would have been defended ; and the conditions under 
which the great battles at Manassas were fought would have 
been changed. 

General Stuart had pushed in advance with his cavalry, 
ascended the Bull Run Mountain by a winding and rocky road, 
to the right of the gap, and descending the eastern acclivity 



THE MAKCH TO MA.NASSAS. 277 

taken his post again in front and on the flanks of the army, 
Avhich, on the afternoon of Tuesday, the 26th, reached the neigh- 
borhood of Manassas. 

This march will always remain famous in history. It was 
the achievement of a leader fertile in resource, close in his cal- 
culation of time and material, and unerring in decision and exe- 
cution. Jackson had either outgeneralled or surprised the com- 
mander of the Federal forces, and General Pope, who up to that 
time had persistently kept his eyes upon the Confederate column 
in his front upon the Rappahannock, now found himself cut off 
from "Washington by a column in his rear, and forced to retreat 
or fight upon terms dictated by his adversary. 

Jackson had thus accomplished with entire success one part 
of his programme, and the execution of the movement was wor- 
thy of his reputation as a soldier. But in contemplating the 
success of the leader, we ought not to lose sight of the credit 
which belongs to the troops. They had on this, as on many 
other occasions, displayed a soldiership, endurance, and cheerful- 
ness under privation and hardship which would do honor to the 
best fighting races of history. In two days they had marched 
about fifty miles to make an attack, which is very different from 
a retreat. This rapid advance was made to gain a position in 
which they expected to be immediately assailed by the large force 
under General Pope, certain to be united against Jackson as 
soon as it could be brought up. Many of the men were bare- 
footed, and limped along " weary unto death." They were faint 
from want of food and broken down by absence of rest, but, as 
we have seen, moved on " briskly, and without stragglers." 
Only those who saw the Confederate troops at this time, before 
and after the second battle of Manassas, can realize their cheer- 
ful and soldierly bearing under privations which were calculated 
to break down their strength and quench aU their ardor. The 
phenomenon was here presented of an army living for many 
days upon green corn and unripe apples only — and during this 
time making exhausting marches, engaging in incessant combats, 
and repulsing every assault. The troops which presented this 



278 LITE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

worthy and honorable spectacle were for the most part composed 
of young men who had never known what it was to want even 
the delicacies of life. The flower of the Southern youth, raised 
in affluence and luxury, Avere toiling on over the dusty highways, 
or lying exhausted by the roadside, or fighting when so feeble 
that they could scarcely handle their muskets ; but a something 
stern and resolute in the blood of these boys seemed to bear them 
up, keep them to their work, and make them laugh even in the 
midst of their sufferings. The writer of this page saw the men 
of the South at this great crisis, and his pulse still throbs as he 
recalls the noble spectacle which they presented. 

Thoroughfare Gap Avas passed, the open country lay before 
Jackson, and at Gainesville General Stuart came up with his 
cavalry, and took position on the right flank. It Avas important 
to strike the Federal communications immediately and attack 
Manassas if possible before General Pope received intelligence 
of the advance upon his rear ; and AAdth this end in vicAv, Jack- 
son hurried forAvard to Bristoe, a station on the Orange and 
Alexandria Railroad, four miles from Manassas, Avhich was 
reached and a small guard captured after sunset. As Stuart ap- 
proached this place the sound of cars was heard from the direc- 
tion of Warrenton, and a train was soon seen approaching 
rapidly. Colonel IMunford, of the 2d Virginia cavalry, fired into 
it as it passed at full speed, but did not succeed in stopping it. 
It continued its way and reached Manassas in safety. Other 
trains were heard coming from the same direction, however, and, 
diAading his force,. General EweU took possession of two points 
on the railroad, which Avas obstructed by logs upon the track. 
The trains came on without suspicion, and the result in this case 
was more satisfactory. Tavo were captui*ed, one having been 
throAvn off the track — and others still were heard coming. 

But by this time the firing seems to have been heard, and to 
have excited suspicion. The trains , in the direction of Warren- 
ton uttered shrill screams Avhich experts declared to signify, " Is 
all right?" One of these railroad experts, named Foreman, 
jumped on the prostrate engine, turned a portion of the ma- 



THE MAKCH TO MANASSAS. 279 

chinerj, and signalled back : " All right — come on " — General 
Fitz Lee drawing up his cavalry to fire upon them as they drew 
near. But the alarm had been given ; the trains would not run 
the perilous gauntlet ; and the troops must turn their attention 
elsewhere. 

Jackson was thus completely in the enemy's rear ; held pos- 
session of the railroad which supplied their army ; and the first 
act of the great drama had been played. "When the curtain de- 
scended, this was the position of affairs : Lee was on General 
Pope's flank ; Jackson in his rear ; the Federal reenforcements 
from Washington and Fredericksburg had not arrived ; General 
Pope must fight on ground and conditions selected by his enemy. 
A cool and determined spirit would not, however, have regarded 
the situation as desperate. Lee, with his main body, was still 
a long way off ; Burnside was approaching from below; reen- 
forcements were being hurried forward from Alexandria ; and 
Jackson was playing a game which might with good hopes of 
success be retorted against himself. Proceeding upon this view 
of the subject, General Pope put his columns in motion and ad- 
vanced to protect his communications, and attack Jackson before 
he could be reenforced by Lee. 

Our narrative deals with the movements of the personage 
thus threatened. The first thing necessary was to gain posses- 
sion of Manassas. Night had now descended, and the men were 
exhausted by the heavy marching of the last two days ; but the 
situation was critical ; the destruction of the stores at Manassas 
essential to Jackson's designs — and he determined to make the 
attack without delay. General Trimble volunteered to under- 
take it, and accordingly advanced with the 21st North Carolina 
and the 21st Georgia — in all about five hundred men. In order 
to insure the success of the assault. General Stuart was subse- 
quently directed to move with a portion of his cavalry to co- 
operate with Trimble, and " as the ranking otficer, to take com- 
mand of the expedition." The Federal force at Manassas made 
but slight resistance. General Stuart advanced ahead of the 
infantry with his cavalry, until challenged by the enemy's inte- 



280 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

rior sentinels, and fired on with canister ; and finding the ground 
impracticable for cavalry at night, sent for the infantry. When 
it arrived, he directed General Trimble to rest his centre on the 
railroad and advance, which was immediately done, and after a 
brief contest the place Avas captured, Colonel Wickham, with a 
portion of the cavalry, cutting off the enemy's retreat. 

The amount of arms and stores captured at Manassas was 
very large. Eight pieces of artillery ; seventy-two horses and 
equipments ; three hundred prisoners ; two hundred negroes ; two 
hundred new tents ; one hundred and seventy-five additional 
horses, exclusive of artillery horses ; ten locomotives ; two rail- 
road trains of enormous size, loaded with many millions' worth 
of stores ; fifty thousand pounds of bacon ; one thousand barrels 
of beef ; tAventy thousand barrels of pork ; several thousand bar- 
rels of flom', and a large quantity of forage, fell into Jackson's 
hands. In addition to these public stores, were the contents of 
the sutlers' shops, containing, says an eye-witness, " an amount 
and variety of property such as I had never conceived of." 
The same writer says : " 'Twas a curious sight to see our ragged 
and famished men helping themselves to every imaginable article 
of luxury or necessity, whether of clothing, food, or what not. 
For my part I got a tooth-brush, a box of candles, a quantity of 
lobster salad, a barrel of coffee, and other things which I forget. 
The scene utterly beggared description. Our men had been liv- 
ing on roasted com since crossing the Rappahannock, and we 
had brought no wagons, so we could carry little away of the 
riches before us. But the men could eat one meal at least. So 
they were marched up, and as much of every thing eatable 
served out as they could carry. To see a starving man eating 
lobster salad and di-inking Rhine wine, barefooted and in tatters, 
was curious ; the whole thing was indescribable." 

This vast mass of public and private stores, with the excep- 
tion of what the men consumed or carried away with them, a 
bakery, furnishing daily fifteen thousand loaves of bread, and all 
the public buildings of the place, were consigned to the flames 



THE MAECH TO MANASSAS. 281 

and utterly destroyed. Jackson was not to hold the place with- 
out a further struggle, however, on the part of the enemy. 

Intelligence of the danger to which this great magazine of 
stores was exposed having reached Washington, a brigade of 
New Jersey troops, under General Taylor, was promptly ordered 
forward by railroad to defend it. The train reached the bridge 
over Bull Run about seven in the morning of the 27th ; the 
troops were disembarked, and the entire command hurried for- 
ward as rapidly as possible toward Manassas. The Confederate 
skirmishers, who had been posted along the crest of hills over- 
looking Bull Run, fell back before the enemy, and they were thus 
drawn on toward the fortifications, where the infantry and dis- 
mounted cavalry awaited them in silence. They had advanced 
in line of battle within close and deadly range, when suddenly 
tlie artUlery in the breastworks opened, and a storm of shot and 
shell greeted them. They fell back behind a sheltering crest, 
and were at once attacked by the Confederate infantry, who 
drove them through Blackburn's ford, to the opposite side of 
Bull Run. Here they were fired into by the Stuart Horse Artil- 
lery, under Major Pelham. General Taylor was killed ; his son, 
nephew, and at least one-half of his officers wounded, and the 
enemy fell back in full retreat. 

Hill's and Jackson's divisions were now in the neighborhood 
of Manassas, and had driven off some of the Federal cavalry 
and artillery which still hovered near in the direction of the old 
battle-field. Ewell's division had remained at Bristoe. This 
was to receive the first attack of Pope's column, pressing forward 
to guard his rear. The advance force of General Pope was led 
by General Hooker, an officer of energy and ability, and it soon 
became apparent that the whole of General Pope's army had 
fallen back from the Rappahannock, and was about to throw 
itself upon the comparatively small force opposed to it. 

The enemy appeared in Ewell's front in the afternoon, and 
their forces were visible as far as the eye could see. The Con- 
federate commander saw that he was largely outnumbered, and 
could effect nothing against this great force, but he nevertheless 



282 LITE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

advanced to the attack, determiued to hold them in check until 
Jackson had accomplished his work at Manassas. The 6th and 
8th Louisiana regiments and the 60th Georgia were promptly 
thrown forward to engage two Federal brigades which were now 
within close range ; and Ewell opened with a rapid fire of artil- 
lery, which drove the Federal advance force back in confusion. 
Their places were, however, taken by fresh columns of Federal 
troops, and heavy rcenforcements were rapidly moved to the 
front. General Pope evidently desiring to bring on a general en- 
gagement immediately. Ewell, however, declined the proffered 
battle, and, drawing up Early's brigade to protect his rear, fell 
back in the direction of Manassas. Two regiments of cavalry, 
under Munford and Eosser, covered Early's rear ; Captain Bos- 
well, of the engineers, destroyed the bridge, and the column fell 
back unpursued. 

This affair was claimed by the Federal commander as an 
important success, his impression being, apparently, that he had 
thus repulsed, without difficulty, Jackson's entire force. The 
intelligence was telegraphed to Washington, where it was 
printed ; and this was the origin of the opinion held throughout 
the North, for the moment, that Jackson was " cut off," and 
would inevitably be captured. 

The Confederate cavalry had meanwhile exerted all their ac- 
tivity. During the entire day they were engaged in observing 
the enemy, reporting his movements, and capturing detached 
parties in all directions. General Fitz Lee was sent on an ex- 
pedition toward Faii-fax Court-House, to still further damage 
the Federal communications, and, if possible, cut off the retreat 
of Taylor's brigade ; and the entii'e region was scoured by et- 
ficient officers of cavaky, who notified General Jackson of every 
movement. 

At nightfall Manassas was evacuated ; and when the enemy 
took possession on the following morning, Stuart's few remain- 
ing cavalry falling back before them, they found only smoking 
ruins, and the burnt and blackened remains of their great masses 
of stores. 



THE MARCH TO MANASSAS. 283 

The destruction of these stores was of vital importance to 
General Jackson. It doubtless seemed hard to his hungry sol- 
diers, that after a march of fifty miles, almost without food, they 
should be called upon to destroy the tempting commissary 
stores, and innumerable luxuries of the sutlers' shops, almost 
before they had satisfied the cravings of nature. But the person- 
al comfort of the army was at that moment a very small item in 
the account. The destruction of these stores was one of the 
greatest objects of the expedition ; Gleneral Pope depended upon 
them for the subsistence of his army ; and the success or failure 
of the grand operations about to commence was largely involved 
in depriving the enemy of their benefit. 

General Pope's official report shows how thoroughly he was 
crippled by the capture of Manassas. He rests his apology for 
the defeat which followed upon the want of rations for his men 
and forage for his horses. Describing his starving condition, 
and inveighing against General McClellan for refusing to de- 
spatch trains of supplies without an escort of cavalry, he attrib- 
utes all to the destruction at Manassas. There were some 
grounds for his statement. Even if General Fitz Lee's cavahy 
had permitted a convoy to pass, it could not have arrived in 
time ; and General Pope declares in his report, that whether 
defeating Jackson, or defeated by him, it was a simple question 
of time whether he should faU back behind Bull Run, toward his 
supplies, or " starve." He adds that the battle of Saturday was 
fought because he had no option in the matter, and could not 
delay an engagement. " Starvation" for men and horses stared 
him in the face, and drove him to renew the action. 

Such were the excellent results immediately achieved by 
Jackson in the capture of the enemy's magazines at Manassas. 
That historic place had thus been twice destroyed by the Confed- 
erate commanders — fii'st by Johnston, and then by Jackson. 

It had twice been occupied by the enemy, on the nest day, 
Dut under difierent circumstances. The troops wliich took pos- 
session when Johnston evacuated and destroyed it in March, 
were the advance guard of an army thoroughly provisioned and 



284 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

in high spirits. Those who entered it on the 28th of August 
were hungry, and with spirits already darkened by the shadow 
of Jackson. 



CHAPTER Xin. 

JACKSON AT BAY. 

Jackson turned his back on the burning houses of Manassas 
at nightfall. 

His position was now perilous in the extreme. The main 
body of Lee's army was in motion, and marching by the same 
route which he had followed, to his assistance ; but General 
Pope was moving to attack him, and the head of the Federal 
column had already come in collision with General Ewell. Lee 
had the arc of the circle to follow, while his adversary moved 
over the chord ; and all now depended upon the former's celeri- 
ty, and Jackson's strategy in meanwhile keeping the enemy at 
bay. If General Pope could once come up with and strike 
Jackson before Lee and Longstreet arrived, the contest would be 
desperate, as the Confederates would be greatly outnumbered ; 
and to ward off the threatened blow until the main body came 
to his succor, was now the aim of General Jackson. 

The movement brought into play all his resources of energy, 
nerve, prudence, and generalship. He might have retired with- 
out difficulty before the enemy, in the direction of Aldie, and 
turning the Bull Run Mountain at its northern extremity, formed 
a junction with Longstreet, and defied the foe ; but this with- 
drawal of the advance force was no part of the plan of General 
Lee. The design of that commander was to engage the enemy 
with his whole force in the neighborhood of Manassas, while 
they were laboring under the embarrassments occasioned by the 
destruction of their stores and communications — while the men 
and horses were hungry and exhausted — and before supplies 
could reach them from Alexandria. The retreat toward Aldie, 



JACKSON AT BAT. 285 

on Jackson's part, would have lost to Mm half the fruits of the 
great movement — thwarted General Lee's plans — and reversed 
the whole programme of operations. He accordingly banished all 
thought of such a retrograde movement, and with that stubborn 
nerve which characterized him, determined to fall back slowly to 
a position within supporting distance of Longstreet, contest every 
inch of the ground, and only retire when the existence of his army 
made it necessary. 

Accordingly, just after sunset, he put his troops in motion, 
and began the movement which was to effect his object. His 
corps was divided, and took different routes. Hill's division, 
with a detachment of cavalry, set out on the road to Centreville, 
crossing at Blackburn's ford, and thus drawing the attention of 
the enemy in a false direction. HiU did not proceed beyond 
Centreville, however. Having reached that point he faced to 
the left, took the Warrenton road, and returned, recrossing 
BuU Run at Stone bridge, hotly pursued by General Pope, who 
had gone after him to Centreville " with Heintzelman and Reno 
as a body-guard," says General Fitz John Porter, " not knowing 
at the time where was the enemy." Near this point he rejoined 
Jackson, who had fallen back, with Ewell's division, his own 
and the rest of the cavalry, and taken up a position on the battle- 
field of Manassas ; his left resting near Sudley ford ; his right at 
a point a little above the small village of Groveton.* The crest 
which he occupied was partly protected in front by a railroad 

* The consequences of Jackson's movement against the Federal rear are 
vividly depicted in the despatches of their generals. On the 28th General 
Porter telegraphed to General Burnside : "All that talk about bagging Jackson 
was bosh. That enormous gap Manassas was left open, and the enemy 
jumped through." On the 29th the same general telegraphed : "It would 
seem from proper (?) statements of the enemy that he was wandering around 
loose ; but I expect they know what they are doing, which is more than any 
one here, or anywhere, knows." When a large amoimt of ammunition was 
sent from Washington, he telegraphed in regard to it that it " was on the 
road to Alexandria, where we are all going." 

On the 1st of September General McClellan wrote : " This week is the orisia 
of our fate." 



286 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

cut — that of a projected road branching from the main Manassas 
Railroad near Gainesville, and running toward Alexandria. 
Here he was in a position to repulse the enemy unless they ad- 
vanced in overpowering force ; to form a junction with Long- 
street as soon as he arrived, and, if hard pressed, retire up the 
riffht bank of Bull Run toward Aldie. 

Deceived by the movements of A. P. Hill toward Centre- 
ville, a force of the enemy had followed him in that direction, 
and pursued hotly until his rear guard passed Stone bridge. 
This was in the afternoon. But meanwhile the cavalry force of 
the two armies had come into collision. General Stuart dis- 
posed his cavalry so as to cover Jackson's front in the direction 
of Warrenton and Manassas ; and having intercepted a despatch 
from the enemy, directing cavalry to report to General Bayard 
at Haymarket, near Thoroughfare, Stuart proceeded in that 
direction, with his two fragments of brigades, to attack it, and 
establish communication with Longstreet, whose arrival was 
looked for with intense anxiety. On the way, Stuart captured 
a party of the enemy, and, having sent his despatch through by 
a trusty messenger, engaged the enemy's cavalry, while Long- 
street was fighting at Thoroughfare Gap. The skirmish was still 
going on when the sound of artillery from Stone bridge indicated 
a battle there, and, quietly withdrawing from the action. General 
Stuart hastened to place his command upon Jackson's right flank. 

As the cavalry approached, the dust which they raised in- 
duced the apprehension on General Stuart's part that his com- 
mand, coming as it did from the direction of the enemy, would 
be taken for a part of the Federal force. A staff oilicer was 
accordingly despatched with the intelligence of his approach, and 
Jackson promptly informed that the supposed enemies were 
friends. He was reconnoitring at the moment with General 
Ewell and others in front of his troops, drawn up in line of battle, 
and no sooner knew that his dank was not threatened than, 
pointing to the enemy in his front, he said, briefly : " Ewell, 
advance ! " 

Ewell immediately threw forward his own and Jackson's 



JACKSON AT BAY. 287 

divisions, and attacked the enemy, who were seen advancing 
parallel with the Warrenton turnpike, inclining somewhat in the 
direction of Manassas. It was now nearly sunset, and Jackson's 
men were almost worn down by their heavy marches ; but the 
enemy had exposed his flank, and the temptation to assail it was 
irresistible. Starke's brigade was deployed in front, as skir- 
mishers, and the batteries of Wooding, Poague, and Carpenter 
opened on the enemy over the heads of the skirmishers. The 
Federal batteries promptly replied, and so tremendous a fire was 
concentrated upon the Confederate artillery that it was forced to 
change its position. The more decisive " small-arms," however, 
were now about to commence their work in earnest. Jackson's 
old division, with the brigades of Lawton and Trimble on the 
left, rushed forward to an orchard on the right, where they made 
an impetuous charge upon a heavy force of the enemy less than 
a hundred yards beyond the orchard. A fierce and sanguinary 
conflict ensued, the enemy being constantly reenforced by fresh 
troops ; but in spite of this they did not advance. They con- 
tinued, however, to receive Jackson's attack with the greatest 
obstinacy, and sustained both the fire of musketry and that of the 
Stuart Horse Artillery, under Major John Pelham, without 
flinching. Their intention, as afterwards appeared, was to pro- 
tect the flank of their column until it passed Jackson's position, 
and the troops to whom this duty was assigned performed it well. 
They stood the fire of musketry and artillery until nine o'clock 
at night, when the whole Federal force fell back. 

Jackson's loss in this engagement was hea^y, both in num- 
bers and the personal worth of those killed and wounded. Gen- 
eral Ewell had been badly wounded in the knee, which caused 
the loss of his leg ; and General Taliaferro, commanding Jack- 
son's division, was also severely wounded. The enemy had, 
however, suffered heavily, and had yielded the field, and the 
troops prepared for the more decisive conflict which the coming 
day would bring. 

The mild hours of the August evening which witnessed this 
contest on the historic plains of Manassas, were marked also by 



288 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

a sharp engagement between Longstreet and the enemy in the 
gorge of Thoroughfare Gap. This wild and romantic pass in 
the mountains, with its frowning, fire-clad battlements on either 
side — its narrow and winding road, and its rugged walls rising 
rock above rock to the summit, right and left — was defended by 
a considerable force, with powerful batteries judiciously posted 
to take the eastern debouchment with sboll and canister. Gen- 
eral Lee, who had pressed forward over the same road, followed 
by Jackson, and reached the lofty hill upon the western opening 
of the pass late in the afternoon, determined not to delay the 
attack. A brigade was accordingly sent forward, and rushed 
into the gap in face of a hot fire of musketry and storm of shell 
from the enemy's artillery beyond. The conflict was kept up 
with great spirit for some time ; but Lee having sent a force by 
Hopewell Gap, a little north of Thoroughfare, to take the 
enemy in flank and rear, they hastily withdrew their batteries 
and left the way open to Longstreet, who passed through about 
nine o'clock at night. 

When a courier brought to Jackson the intelligence that 
Longstreet had passed Thoroughfare, and was rapidly pressing 
forward to join him, he drew a long breath and uttered a sigh 
of relief. The long agony was over — the great movement was 
so far a complete success. Longstreet — nay, Lee himself — was 
near, and all was well. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

MANASSAS: AUGUST 29, 1862. 

On the morning of Friday, August 29th, Jackson's corps 
was di*awn up to receive the anticipated assault of the enemy, 
posted directly in his front. His own division was on the right. 
General Starke commanding ; Ewell's, under General LaAvton, 
in the centre ; and Hill's upou the left. The position was a 
strong one. His left rested near Sudley ford, and his right a 



MAITASSAS: AUGUST 29, 1862. 289 

little above the small village of Groveton, on the Warreaton 
turnpike, a portion of the line being protected by the deep cut 
for the projected railroad already mentioned. Thus posted, 
General Jackson was in a condition to repel any assault, unless 
it Tv^as made in overpowering force ; and confident of his ability 
to hold his ground until reenforcements arrived, he presented a 
dauntless front, ready to accept battle at any moment. 

The fatal error of General Pope was his delay in making this 
attack. Confusion seems to have reigned in the Federal coun- 
sels, and the plainest dictates of military science were disregarded. 
It was known that Lee was advancing with Longstreet's corps — 
that great reserve whose blows were so heavy, and told for so 
much in every contest. The route of this corps was also well 
known ; there could be no doubt that they would advance 
through Thoroughfare Gap ; and yet Thoroughfare Gap, the key 
of the whole position, the Thermopylae which ten men could 
have held against a thousand, was inadequately guarded, and 
suffered to be cleared. The veriest tyro in arms would have 
understood that all depended upon hurling the entire Federal 
column upon Jackson before Longstreet arrived ; but General 
Pope either did not see the importance of doing so, or was un- 
able to accomplish it. In his defence, he presents an array of 
charges against General Porter and other officers, for delay, 
inefficiency, and even disloyalty; but the rejoinders of these 
officers are fatal in the extreme to General Pope's character for 
generalship, and the fact remains clearly proved that he was out- 
generaUed, as he was out-fought, by General Jackson. 

The hour for the execution of the movement referred to above 
had now passed. The golden moment upon which the hinges 
of destiny turn had slipped away. That most terrible of phrases, 
" too late," applied in all its force to the movements of the Fed- 
eral army. 

A cloud of dust from the direction of Thoroughfare Gap, on 

that eventful morning, told the tale of despair to General Pope, 

of succor and good hope to Jackson. The great corps which 

had turned the tide of victory upon so many hard-fought fields 

19 



290 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

was steadily pressing onward, and the advance was now on the 
"Warrentou turnpike, heyond^ Gainesville, not far from Jackson's 
right. 

All the morning General Longstreet was coming into posi- 
tion. The fai'-seeing eyes of the great soldier who commanded 
the Southern army had embraced at a glance the whole situation 
of things, and his plans were formed. The design was to en- 
velop the enemy, as it were, and occupy a position from which 
he could be struck in front, flank, and rear at the same moment, 
if he made a single error ; and this design dictated an order of 
battle not dissimilar from that which was crowned with such 
success on the banks of the Chickahominy. 

Jackson fronted, as we have said, obliquely to the Warren- 
ton road, his right resting near Groveton. When Longstreet 
arrived, his troops were steadily advanced in a line crossing the 
Warrenton road, his left resting upon a range not far from 
Jackson's right — the two lines forming an obtuse angle,* and 
resembling somewhat an open V. The village of Groveton was 
in the angle thus formed, about a mile distant ; and the fields iu 
its vicinity were completely commanded by heavy batteries. 
These were placed upon a ridge at the angle mentioned, Avhere 
Longstreet's left and Jackson's right approached each other, and 
were commanded by that accomplished soldier Colonel Stephen 
D. Lee, of South Carolina. 

The advantage of this order of battle is apparent at a glance. 
If the enemy advanced, as it was probable they would do, upon 
Jackson, to crush him before Longstreet was ready to assist 
him, they would expose their left flank to the latter, and be 
placed in a most perilous position. If they succeeded in driving 
General Jackson back, and followed up their success by a gen- 
eral advance all along the line, that success would only expose 
them still more to the heavy arm of Longstreet ready to fall 
upon their unprotected flank. Their very victory would be the 
signal of their ruin. Triumph would insure destruction. The 

* General Longstreet's expression to the writer. 



MANASSAS : AUGUST 29, 1862. 291 

rapidly-closing sides of the great V would strike them in ilank 
and rear, huddle them together, and end by crushing them with 
its inexorable vice-like pressure. 

Their only hope, in advancing upon Jackson, was to pene- 
trate between him and Longstreet, thereby dividing the line of 
battle. But Colonel Lee was there, with his batteries crowning 
the crest, and the design was hopeless. 

Such was General Lee's order of battle. The enemy seemed 
as yet unaware of it. They adhered to their design of over- 
whelming Jackson before succor reached him ; and during the 
whole forenoon were moving their troops to the left, and massing 
them in his front. Skirmishing and cannonading, rather desul- 
tory in their character, and not important, went on during this 
movement of the enemy ; but it was not until after two that the 
battle commenced in earnest. 

About that time the enemy advanced a heavy column, con- 
sisting in part, it is said, of Banks', Sigel's, and Pope's divi- 
sions ; and, supported by a heavy fire of artillery, threw them- 
selves witli great fury upon Jackson's left, consisting of the 
division of A. P. Hill. Their evident design was to turn his 
flank ; and in spite of the destructive volleys poured into their 
faces, they pressed on, crossed the cut in the railroad extending 
along Hill's front, and, penetrating an interval of about one hun- 
dred and seventy-five yards, separated the right of Gregg's from 
the left of Thomas' brigades. This success proved almost fatal 
at the moment to General Gregg. He was entirely isolated, 
and but for the stubborn stand made by the 14th South Carolina 
and 49th Georgia, on Thomas' left, would have been cut off 
and destroyed. These regiments attacked the enemy with vigor ; 
their triumphant advance was checked at the instant when they 
were carrying all before them ; and the Federal column was 
forced to retreat beyond the cut again, with heavy loss. In this 
sanguinary conflict the men fought almost breast to breast ; and 
General McGowan reported that " the opposing forces at one 
time delivered their volleys into each other at the distance of ten 
paces." 



292 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

But the attempt to force back Jackson's left was not aban- 
doned. The first assault was succeeded by another and another, 
ever increasing in fury, and participated in by the best troops of 
the Federal army. Time had, however, been given to remedy 
the fatal defect in the line of battle ; no opening was now pre- 
sented to the enemy ; and, wherever the attack was made, they 
found their assault promptly met. General Hill reported " six 
separate and distinct assaults " which his division, recnforced by 
Hays' brigade, met and repulsed. His loss was heavy. Gregg's 
brigade had all of its field officers but two either killed or wound- 
ed ; but Early's brigade, with the 8th Louisiana, came to its as- 
sistance, and the battle raged more furiously than before. 

Early found that the enemy had obtained possession of the 
railroad cut immediately in his front, from which they were 
pouring a galling fire. He lost no time in attacking, and they 
were driven from the cut, thence into the woods, and pursued 
two hundred yards. As they fell back before the Confederate 
infantry, they Avere subjected to a heavy fire from the artillery 
posted on the high ground in rear ; and so destructive was this 
combination of cannon and small-arms, that one of the Federal 
regiments is said to have carried back but three men. 

A pause in the action was soon succeeded by another assault, 
this time very generally directed all along the line. The best 
Federal troops took part in this charge, which was made with a 
vigor indicating the importance attached to it. They evidently 
spared no exertions. The Federal batteries opened a furious 
fire, and, under cover of it, their infantry advanced at a double- 
quick, plainly resolved to break through the line of Confederate 
bayonets, or leave their dead bodies on the field. The conflict 
which followed was exceedingly obstinate. It continued for sev- 
eral hours, and Jackson greatly exposed himself in encouraging 
the men and holding his lines firm. 

They retained their position thus, without wavering ; but the 
strength of the Southern troops, so sorely tried in the heavy 
marching, began to flag. Other causes conspired to render as- 
sistance necessary. Heavy reenforcements were being rapidly 



MANASSAS : AUGUST 29, 1862. 293 

pushed forward by tlie enemy, and Jackson's troops had shot 
away all their cartridges. " We got out of ammunition," writes 
a young soldier of A. P. Hill's division to his mother ; " we col- 
lected more from cartridge-boxes of fallen friend and foe. That 
gave out, and we charged with never-failing yell and steel. All 
day long they threw their masses on us ; all day they fell back 
shattered and shrieking. When the sun went down, their dead 
were heaped in front of that incomplete railway, and we sighed 
with relief, for Longstreet could be seen coming into position on 
our right. The crisis was over ; Longstreet never failed yet ; 
but the sun w^ent down so slowly ! " Without ammunition, the 
men of Jackson seized whatever they could lay their hands on 
to use against the enemy. The piles of stones in the vicinity of 
the railroad cut were used — and it is well established that many 
of the enemy were killed by having their skulls broken with 
fragments of rock. 

The conflict went on in this way all the afternoon, and was 
obstinate and determined. The enemy had not succeeded in 
driving Jackson from his position ; but his men were beginning 
to grow weary in the unequal struggle with an enemy who 
threw against them incessantly heavy reenforcements of fresh 
troops, arriving from the rear and hurried to the front, to take 
the place of those who had been repulsed. 

General Lee saw that the moment had arrived for a demon- 
stration on the enemy's left, and this was made about nightfall. 
Hood's division was ordered forward, and now threw itself 
with ardor into the contest. Up to that moment the conflict had 
been obstinate, but the firing upon both sides had perceptibly de- 
creased in intensity — the Federal troops, like their opponents, 
appearing fatigued by the persistent conflict. It was at this mo- 
ment that Hood's division advanced ; and the quick tongues of 
flame leaped from the muzzles of his muskets, lighting up the 
gathering gloom with their crimson flashes. These " fires of 
death" were followed by the sharp crack of the guns, from end 
to end of the great field between the opposing lines — and then 
dusky figures were seen advancing rapidly toward the Federal 



294 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

line. The next jets of flame spurted into the darkness were near 

the edge of the wood where the enemy were drawn up ; then, with 
one long roar of musketry, and a maze of quick flashes every- 
where, Hood's men rushed forward with wild cheers, driving the 
enemy before them into the depths of the forest. When the deep 
darkness of night, lit up now only by a few flashes of artillery, 
put an end to the conflict, the Federal lines had been driven 
more than half a mile from the position Avhich they had held be- 
fore Hood charged. 

By order of General Lee the troops, however, fell back to 
their former strong position, for the real struggle on the next 
day, and bivouacked for the night — a circumstance which pro];)- 
ably induced General Pope to telegraph that, although he had 
sustained a loss of 8,000 men, he had driven back the entire 
Southern army. 

Jackson had thus successfully maintained his ground against 
the hea\y pressure of the enemy's columns, and night and Long- 
street had come. 

His movement had succeeded, and he had stood at bay after 
securing all its advantages, with that stubborn and determined 
front which defies all attempts to break through it. Now the 
dangerous moment had passed. Longstreet was there upon his 
right, Avith his strong and veteran corps ; and Lee was by his 
side to take from his shoulders the heavy load of anxiety which 
he had borne unaided. 

The stern soul of Jackson the soldier must have rejoiced 
within him when night came and all was well ; but the heart of 
the Christian was doubtless heavy, here as elsewhere, for the 
blood about to flow. 




|"v3 o J A Kffl E S L^) P3 vij STTK E ETo 



THE SECOND BATTLE OF MANASSAS. 295 

CHAPTER XV. 

THE SECOND BATTLE OF MANASSAS. 

Saturday, the 30th of August — the great day which was to 
termmate the long conflict — dawned clear and heautiful. 

"With the first dawn the Confederate troops were under arms, 
and prepared for the great contest. All of General Lee's forces 
had arrived, with the exception of Anderson's division, which 
was only a few miles from the field, and line of battle was im- 
mediately formed. 

The order of battle remained unchanged. Jackson stiU 
occupied his former position, with his left near Sudley, his right 
above Groveton ; and Longstreet's line, as before, stretched 
away obliquely, the interval between the two being protected by 
the eight batteries of Colonel Lee. General Stuart's cavalry 
was posted on the right and left Mdngs, and batteries were so 
disposed as to serve as supports to the advancing columns, or 
repulse the onset of the enemy. 

The Federal army adapted its line, in some measure, to that 
of General Lee. It curved backward from its centre, foEowing 
the conformation of Lee's two wings, and is said to have em- 
braced General Heintzelman on the right. General McDowell 
on the left, and Porter, Sigel, and Reno in the centre. Their 
batteries were disposed in a manner similar to General Lee's, 
and their cavalry held well in hand to take an active part in the 
battle. 

It was in this attitude that the two armies remained in face 
of each other for many hours — neither advanciog to the attack. 
General Lee's policy was plainly to await the assault in his 
strong position behind the railroad, and on the high ground of 
the Groveton heights — thus forcing the enemy either to attack 
him, or retire across Bull Run, for supplies, pursued by the 
Southern troops. General Lee could hold his position indefi- 



296 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

nitely, haviug uninterrupted communication with his rear ; but 
the Federal general was forced to fight or retreat — and the ob- 
vious policy was to await his advance. 

The strength of the position was evidently appreciated, and 
persistent attempts were made to draw the Southern troops from 
it. About one o'clock a feint was made upon the Confederate 
right, and a brisk encounter took place between the advance 
forces ; but the enemy were speedily driven back with artillery, 
and the Confederates retained their position. Heavy masses 
then moved in the direction of Lee's left, and General Jackson 
prepared for an instant rencAval of the fierce conflict of the pre- 
ceding day. Several demonstrations were made, but the failure 
here was as marked as it had been on the right ; and the Fed- 
eral forces withdrew, apparently designing to fall back in the 
direction of Manassas. 

These movements, during the whole forenoon, and up to four 
in the evening, were vigilantly watched by Lee. Though out- 
wardly calm, the latent fire of his eye showed that the design 
of the enemy was fully understood, and that every thing was 
ready for the earnest work which must speedily succeed aU this 
manoeuvring, these elaborate ruses and feints. The enemy had 
failed ic achieving their object — to deceive the wary eyes of Lee, 
Jackson, and Longstreet — and they now prepared to abandon 
their useless movements, and trust the event of the day to supe- 
rior numbers and stubborn fighting. 

The Southern troops had witnessed the complicated evolu- 
tions of the enemy across the wide fields and through the forest, 
with little anxiety. The conflict of the preceding day had given 
them confidence, and the men lay down in line of battle, laugh- 
ing and jesting. Virginians, Georgians, Alabamians, Mississip- 
pians, Texans, Floridiaas, Carolinians — all awaited the develop- 
ment of the enemy's designs with entire calmness, and a species 
of indifference which was very striking. They were in this 
careless mood — some talking, others jesting, others again sleep- 
ing beneath the warm August sky — when suddenly the roar of 
thirty pieces of artillery shook the ground, and filled the air 



THE SECOND BATTLE OF MANASSAS. 297 

with their tremendous reverberations. Every man started to 
his feet — and the cause of the heavy cannonade was plain. 

The enemy, entirely foiled in their attempt to draw Lee from 
the heights, had suddenly advanced at a double-quick, as before, 
against his centre, where Jackson's right and Longstreet's left 
came together. The attack was made upon Jackson's line first, 
by a dense column of infantry, which had been massed in a strip 
of woods, in close vicinity to Groveton. Three heavy lines had 
been formed for the charge, and as the first of these lines emerged 
at a double-quick from the woods, they were greeted with the 
murderous fire above described. The fire was directed with 
astonishing accuracy, and the brigades which led the charge 
were almost annihilated by the shot and shell which burst before, 
behind, above, to the right, to the left — ^raking and tearing them 
to pieces. They were swept away before this horrible fire like 
leaves in the wind, and disappeared, broken and flying in the 
woods — to be immediately succeeded, however, by other brigades 
charging as before. Again the inon storm crashed through 
the ranks ; and again they broke and retired.. A third force, 
heavier than before now advanced with mad impetuosity, and, in 
tiie midst of the rapid fire of Lee's batteries, threw themselves 
upon Jackson, and engaged him with desperation. 

The battle was now joined in earnest, and Jackson bore the 
brunt of the attack. The force in front of him is said to have 
embraced, among others, the divisions of Sykes and MorreU, 
both enjoying a high reputation for discipline, gallantry, and eflGi- 
ciency. The onset of these veterans was sustained by Jackson, 
and in some portions of the field entirely repulsed. Colonel Lee 
had meanwhile opened a rapid fire of artUlery from the hills 
above. Moving his batteries more to the left, he reached a po- 
sition not more than four hundred yards from the Federal line, 
and poured a destructive fire over the heads of the Confederates. 
" As shell after shell," says an eye-witness, " burst in the waver- 
ing ranks, and round shot ploughed broad gaps among them, 
you could distinctly see, through the rifts of smoke, the Federal 
soldiers falling and flying on every side. "With the dispersion 



298 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

of the enemy's reserve," says the same writer, " the whole mass 
broke and ran like a flock of wild sheep. Jackson's men, yel- 
ling like devils, now charged upon the scattered crowd, but you 
could notice that they themselves had severely suffered, and were 
but a handful compared with the overwhelming forces of the 
enemy. The flags of two or three regiments did not appear to 
be more than fifty yards apart. A golden opportunity was now 
at hand for Longstreet to attack the exposed left flank of the 
enemy in front of him, and he accordingly ordered the advance 
of Hood's division, which moved obliquely to the right and for- 
ward of the position it had occupied. Kemper next followed, 
with the brigade of General Jenkins on the right of that of 
Pickett, and Jones' division completed our line of battle. The 
brigade of Evans acted as a support to Hood. 

" Not many minutes elapsed after the order to attack before 
the volleys of platoons, and finally the rolling reports of long 
lines of musketry, indicated that the battle was in full progress. 
The whole army was now in motion. The woods were full of 
troops, and the order for the supports to forward at a quick step 
was received with enthusiastic cheers by the elated men. The 
din was almost deafening. The heavy notes of the artillery at 
first deliberate, but gradually increasing in rapidity, mingled 
with the sharp treble of the small-arms, gave one an idea of 
some diabolical concert in which all the furies of hell were at 
work. Through the woods, over gently-rolling hills, now and 
then through an open field, we travel toward the front. From 
an elevation we obtain a \dew of a considerable portion of the 
field. Hood and Kemper are now hard at it, and as they press 
forward, never yielding an inch, sometimes at a double-quick, 
you hear these unmistakable yells which tell of a Southern 
charge or a Southern success. 

" The troops they encounter are the best disciplined in the 
Federal army, and for a little while most obstinately do they 
contest every inch of ground over which we advance. Nothing, 
however, can withstand the impetuosity of our boys. Every 
line of the enemy has been broken and dispersed, but rallies 



THE SECOND BATTLE OF MANASSAS. 299 

again upon some other positions behind. Hood has akeady ad- 
vanced his division nearly half a mile at a double-quick — the 
Texans, Georgians, and Hampton Legion loading and firing as 
they run, yelling all the while like madmen. They have cap- 
tured one or two batteries and various stands of colors, and are 
still pushing the enemy before them. Evans, at the head of his 
brigade, is following on the right, as their support, and pouring 
in his effective volleys. Jenkins has come in on the right of 
the Chinn House, and, like an avalanche, sweeps down upon 
' the legions before him with resistless force. Still further to the 
right is Longstreet's old brigade, composed of Virginians, vet- 
erans of every battle-field, all of whom are fighting like furies. 
The 1st Virginia, which opened the ball at Bull Run on the 17th 
of July, 1861, with over six hundred men, now reduced to less 
than eighty members, is winning new laurels ; but out of the 
little handful more than a third have already bit the dust. 
Toombs and Anderson, with the Georgians, together with Kem- 
per and Jenkins, are swooping around on the right, flanking the 
Federals, and driving them toward their centre and rear. Es- 
chelman, with his company of the Washington artillery. Major 
Garnett, with his battalion of Virginia batteries, and others of 
our big guns, are likewise working around upon the enemy's 
left, and pouring an enfilading fire into both their infantry and 
artillery. 

" We do nothing but charge ! charge ! ! charge ! ! ! U the 
enemy make a bold effort to retrieve the fortunes of the day 
(and they made many) , and we are repulsed, it is but for the 
moment, and the regiments rallying upon their supports plunge 
back again into the tempest of fire that before swept them down. 

" Some of the positions of the enemy were strong as Na- 
ture could make them, and were charged five or six times, but 
each time our soldiers were turned back by sheer physical ina- 
bility to sgrmount the obstacles before them. It was then grand 
to witness the moral heroism with which, though their comrades 
went down like swaths of grass under the mower's scythe, other 
men continued to step into the path of death with cheerful alac- 



300 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

ritj, and still to fall with tlie battle-shout upon their lips, and 
the proud smile of conscious valor on their faces." 

Gradually as the fierce struggle progressed, the sides of the 
open V, which Lee's order of battle resembled, closed upon the 
flanks of the enemy. Colonel Lee's artillery still continued to 
play with destructive effect upon their front, and the batteries 
were regularly advanced from position to position, ruking the 
lines of the enemy from every hillock. 

The battle had noAV become terrific. The ruses and ma- 
noeuATes of the morning had long yielded to desperate, stubborn 
fighting, and the day depended not so much upon any military 
skill of the generals as upon the character of the troops engaged. 
The Federal troops fought hard, but that " heart of hope" which 
adds so much to the efiiciency of the soldier had deserted them, 
and they contended doggedly, but without the dash and fervor 
which compel victory. Gradually the Southern lines closed in 
upon them. Longstreet's right pressed down upon their left, 
and Jackson's column swung round steady, heavy, resistless, 
upon their right, huddling the disordered regiments and brigades 
upon their centre. 

This was the situation of affairs as the sun sank slowly 
toward the west, and the Confederate leaders now concentrated 
all their forces for a last charge, which should carry every thing 
before it. The batteries redoubled their exertions, the air was 
hot and sulphurous with exploding missiles, whole ranks went 
down before the whirlwind of iron, and the continuous stream- 
ing roar of musketry was frightful in its intensity. The enemy 
continued to give gi-ound ; the Confederate reserves were hurried 
forward to the front, and just as the sun sank a general charge 
was made all along the lines. From the dust and smoke of battle 
there appeared all at once before the eyes of the disheartened 
Federal troops a rapidly-advancing line with gleaming bayonets, 
and this line swept forward at a run. " They came on," says 
the correspondent of a Northern journal, " like demons emerging 
from the earth." There was no pause or hesitation. The Fed- 
eral volleys tore through the line, but could not check it. The 



THE SECOND BATTLE OF MANASSAS. 301 

men pressed on with deafening cheers over the dead and dying — 
the ranks closing up where gaps were made ; and before this 
charge the last remnant of hope deserted the Federal troops. 
They no longer came up to the struggle. Soon they broke and 
disappeared in the rapidly gathering darkness. The long contest 
was ended ; victory assured. The Federal army now thought 
of nothing but its safety behind the sheltering heights of Centre- 
ville. 

Jackson's veterans had taken their full part in this hard com- 
bat, and, sweeping down upon the wavering lines, had led the 
charge which put the enemy to final rout. The fighting of the 
corps had been excellent. They had sustained every assault 
with great firmness ; repulsed every attempt to force them from 
their ground ; and then advancing in their turn, had pushed the 
enemy from position after position, and swept onward to victory. 

" It was a task of almost superhuman labor," says the cor- 
respondent from whom we have already quoted, " to drive the 
enemy from those strong points, defended, as they were, by the 
best artillery and infantry in the Federal army ; but in less than 
four hours from the commencement of the battle our indomitable 
energy had accomplished every thing. Our generals — Lee, 
Longsti'eet, Jackson, Hood, Kemper, Evans, Jones, Jenkins, 
and others — all shared the dangers to which they exposed their 
men. How well their colonels and subordinate ofiicers performed 
their duty is best testified by the list of killed and wounded. 

" The battle raged in the manner described untU after dark, 
and when it was impossible to use fire-arms, the heavens were lit 
up by the still continued flashes of the artillery, and the meteor 
flight of shells scattering their iron spray. By this time the 
enemy had been forced across BuU Run, and their dead covered 
every acre from the starting point of the fight to the Stone 
bridge. Had we been favored with another hovir of daylight, 
theu' rout would have been as great as that which followed the 
original battle of Manassas. As it was, they retreated in haste 
and disorder to the heights of Centreville." 

The part taken by the cavahy in this celebrated battle has 



302 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

not been noticed. General Stuart was indefatigable in his exer- 
tions to guard the Confederate flanks and procure the earliest in- 
formation. He commanded the division of infantry which about 
nightfall made the vigorous and successful attack upon the Fed- 
eral left ; and his cavalry was engaged on the flanks of the army 
throughout the day. As the enemy were giving way on the 
left an impetuous charge was made by a body of cavalry under 
Colonel Muuford, of the 2d Virginia, which terminated, after a 
close hand-to-hand conflict, in the complete rout of the largely 
superior force brought against him. This ended the conflict in 
that part of the field, and the enemy broke and retired, pursued 
by the Confederate artillery and cavalry to the banks of Bull 
Run, over which their confused column hastened on its way to 
Centreville. 

Thus terminated the bitter contest upon the weird plains, 
already so deeply crimsoned with Southern blood. Strange 
Providence which rolled the tide of battle there again ! — which 
made the huge wave break in foam again upon the melancholy 
fields around Stone bridge ! It was a veritable repetition of the 
fierce drama of July, 1861. " Batteries were planted and cap- 
tured yesterday," says a w^riter, " where they were planted and 
captured last year. The pine thicket, where the 4th Alabama 
and 8th Georgia suffered so terribly in the first battle, is now 
strewn with the slain of the invader. We charged through the 
same woods yesterday, though from a different point, where 
Kirby Smith, the Bluchcr of the day, entered the fight before." 

Such was this battle — a hot conflict and a complete success. 



OXHILL, OK GEEMANTOWN. 303 

CHAPTER XVI. 

OXHILL, OR GERMANTOWN. 

The bloody and memorable conflict of " the Second Manas- 
sas" was the splendid termination of a series of manoeuvres 
which will always rank among the most famous of history. 

If there were any persons who still muttered "luck, mere 
good fortune," in relation to Jackson's successes, they were now 
forced to concede that his triumphs were the result of math- 
ematical calculation — of nerve, and a fertility of resources which 
compelled the very genius of necessity with her iron wedge to 
yield to him. 

What he had accomplished was this : He had, by a swift 
and silent march, reached Thoroughfare before the enemy sus- 
pected his advance ; passed through the narrow gorge without 
resistance ; repulsed the advances of General Pope at Bristoe 
Station ; captured and destroyed the large stores at Manassas ; 
cut to pieces the force sent to relieve the garrison ; retired with 
deliberation to the old battle-field of Manassas ; repulsed the 
attack of the Federal army ; held his position until Longstreet 
arrived ; and then falling upon the troops which were almost 
starving in consequence of his destruction of their stores, had 
borne the brunt of the encounter during a battle of incredible 
fury ; helped to rout them in the final and decisive charge, and 
was now again on their track as they fell back toward the de- 
fences of Centreville. 

Eighteen pieces of artillery, with their caissons and equip- 
ments, 6,420 small-arms, and countless prisoners were the 
substantial results reaped by the corps of Jackson. 

But the struggle had not terminated. The Federal forces 
were stiU at Centreville, and on Sunday, the 31st of August, 
Jackson's corps was again in motion. Ordered by General Lee 
to turn Centreville, and cut off the retreat of the Federal forces, 



304 LITE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

he crossed Bull Eun at Sudley ford, struck into the Little River 
turnpike, and marchitig down that road, bivouacked on the same 
evening not far from Chantilly. Here he was joined on Monday 
morning, September 1st, by General Stuart, who had pursued the 
enemy toward CentrevUle with his cavalry ; fought their rear 
guard at Bull Run bridge, which they destroyed behind them ; 
and moved thence to the Little River turnpike, where, not far 
from Germantown, he took position with his artillery and opened 
fire upon their trains, then rapidly retreating from Centreville. 
Forming a junction with Jackson, General Stuart disposed his 
cavalry in front and on the right flank of the infantry, and the 
whole moved forward in the direction of Oxliill — a point on the 
turnpike about three or four miles above Fairfax Court-House. 

The scene at this moment was interesting. The men of the 
Stonewall Brigade and their comrades were lying on the side 
of the road, hungry and exhausted. They had not seen their 
wagons since they left the Rappahannock, and the rations secured 
at Manassas were long since exhausted. Green corn and unripe 
apples had for several days been their sustenance, and now they 
were in a country which did not afford even these. The hungry 
men saw on every side bleak fields and forests, with scarce a roof 
visible in the entire landscape ; and thus famished and worn out, 
they were lying down awaiting the order to advance and attack. 
There was no ill-humor visible ; on the contrary, jests and 
laughter greeted the least object calculated to excite them. And 
when the leader who had nearly marched and fought them to 
death rode by, they saluted him with tumultuous cheers. 

A step beyond his men was Jackson. The Federal forces 
were then in motion from Centreville, and the skirmishers on 
the right were already engaged. The rifles were cracking and 
the balls beginning to fly, but Jackson, like many of his men, 
was asleep. Seated at the foot of a tree, with his chin upon his 
breast, his cap dra^vn over his eyes, and his hands crossed on his 
breast, as though he had fallen asleep while praying, he slept as 
peacefully as a child. It was impossible not to be struck with 
the attitude of the weary soldier. It was simple and unassum- 



OXniLL, OE GEEMANTOWN. 305 

ing, and so sweet a calm was diffused over the features tliat the 
sleeper seemed to be dreaming of home. He was soon aroused ; 
duty called him, and mounting his horse, he took the head of his 
column, and advanced to deliver battle on another field. 

The enemy were awaiting him on the range of hills between 
the Warrenton and Little River turnpikes, with their right near 
Germantown, their left beyond Mellen's house — their object be- 
ing to cover their retreat from CentreviUe. Jackson determined 
to attack without delay, and posting his artillery on an eminence 
to the left of the turnpike, drew up his command in the woods 
on the right — his own division on the left of his line, Ewell's in 
the centre, and Hill's on the right. 

Oxhill is a ridge which extends obliquely across the turn- 
pike, here heavily wooded on each side, a mile or so above Ger- 
mantown. Along this ridge runs a road from Frying Pan past 
Mellen's house, to the TVarrenton road, between Centreville and 
Fairfax Court-House. On the crest of the hill, in the tin^npike, 
two pieces of artillery were stationed, and on the western slope, 
in the woods skirting the right of the turnpike, the Confederate 
infantry were drawn up in line of battle. The engagement 
opened with an attack made by General Stuart, in front on the 
turnpike, with a Blakely gun, supported by Colonel Wickham's 
4th Virginia cavalry. Major John Pelham — called by Jackson, 
in his report of the second Manassas, " the vigilant PeUiam," 
and who was afterwards to receive from General Lee the supreme 
name of " the gallant " — commanded this gun in person, and 
General Stuart superintended the firing. It was run forward 
under the crest of a little hill, but had no sooner opened on some 
cavalry in front than a swarm of sharpshooters rose from the 
woods to the right and rained a storm of musket balls upon the 
cannoneers. The enemy's lines were about one hundred yards 
distant, and as the gun was without canister, it was, after a few 
shots, withdrawn. The position of the Federal forces was thus 
discovered, and the attack speedily commenced. 

The brigades of Branch and Fields — Colonel Brockenbrough 
commanding the latter — were thrown forward to feel the Federal 
20 



'S06 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

position, and as they advanced into action a violent storm roared 
down, and lashed the woods with a fury which drowned the noise 
of the guns. Torrents of rain beat upon the troops, rendering 
it almost impossible to keep their powder dry ; and the forest, 
now shadowy with the approach of night, was lit up by lightning 
flashes of dazzling brilliance, succeeded by deafening claps of 
thunder. Amid this war of the elements, the two brigades ad- 
vanced upon the enemy, and engaged him in a close and deter- 
mined struggle. The Federal troops here posted to repulse an 
assault appear to have been reenforceraents which had not arrived 
in time for the battle of the 30th of August, and they were thus 
perfectly fresh, while the Confederates were greatly exhausted. 
They were led by General Kearney, General Stevens, and other 
officers of experience and ability, and pressed the two advance 
brigades of Jackson in such numbers, both in front and flank, 
that Branch began to exhibit signs of disorder. Jackson now 
tlu'ew forward the brigades of Gregg, Pender, and Thomas, to 
which was added a portion of Ewell's division ; and " the con- 
flict raged with great fury, the enemy obstinately and desperately 
contesting the ground." * All their eflTorts, however, were in 
vain, and so heavy were their losses that they began to waver. 
The looS of field and general officers on the part of the enemy 
was remarkable, and probably disheartened the troops, already 
dispirited by the violence of the attack. General Kearney, mis- 
taking a Confederate soldier in the half darkness for one of his 
own men, inquired the position of a Federal regiment, but, dis- 
covering his mistake, suddenly turned to gallop oiT. As he did 
so, the soldier levelled his musket, fired, and Kearney fell from 
his saddle, mortally wounded.f General Stevens was also killed 
in the engagement ; and about dark, the Federal forces retired 
from the field, which remained in possession of Jackson. J 

* Jackson's report. 

f His dead body was brought oil and sent under a flag of tniee next day 
to the enemy. 

X lu this action, when Jackson received a message from one of his Gen- 
erals that he would have to fall back as the men could not get their gmis 




'^/.■'/^7y1.'l 




. •WCT.rVmOr n ATlTllplmi &• Ho. 



GENERAL LEE ENTERS MAEYLAND. 307 

Oa the next morning it was discovered tliat tlie enemy had 
withdrawn from Jackson's front, and General Stuart, pushing 
forwai'd to Fairfax Court-House about noon, reported that they 
were in full retreat toward Alexandria. The inhabitants of 
Fairfax welcomed the Confederates with great joy, and the cav- 
alry and Stuart horse artillery continned to follow up the Federal 
retreat for many miles. 

Such had been the unfortunate termination of General Pope's 
campaign, entered upon with such high hopes.* He had pro- 
fessed to have seen hitherto only "the backs of his enemies," 
but at Cedar Run and Manassas saw them " face to face." The 
result had been disastrous defeat ; and from that time forth the 
Federal authorities entrusted this ofl&cer with no important com- 
mand. He was another added to the Generals whom Jackson 
had met and defeated. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

GENERAL LEE ENTERS MARYLAND. 

Thus ended the great summer campaign by which the Fed- 
eral authorities hoped to break down the military power of the 
South before the forest leaves were touched by the finger of au- 
tumn. The red battle-flag of the Confederates floated where the 
Federal standard had been so lately seen, and new fields were 
opened to the Southern army. Maryland was now undefended ; 

to go off on account of the rain, Jackson is said to have sent back the reply 
that the officer must hold his ground : " If his guns would not go off, neither 
would the enemy's ! " This might form a supplement to Shakespeare's list of 
retorts, and be styled the " retort military." 

* "Sept. 3.— General Pope asked to be relieved of his command, and was 
transferred to the Department of the Northwest. He drew up the report of 
his campaign in Virginia, and sent it to headquarters without waiting for the 
reports of his subordinate Generals. In this document he blames several of 
the officers for causing his defeat." — National Almanac, 1863. 



308 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

nud the smoke of battle bad scarcely lifted from the plains of 
Manassas, when the victorious columns of Lee were in motion 
toward the upper Potomac. 

Long before, Jackson had written to a friend, " I am cor- 
dially with you in favor of carrying the war north of the Poto- 
mac," and we have seen that to cross into the enemy's country — 
to advance upon the North — was his never-ceasing desire. 

The signal of the long-wished-for advance now came. " Ou 
to Maryland ! " was the watchword, and the veterans of Jackson 
moved forward at the signal, joyous, elated, confident of victory, 
and burning with ardor at the thought that the fair fields of Vir- 
ginia, the homes of their loved ones, would be relieved of the 
horrors of war. No time was lost by General Lee in commenc- 
ing his movement. It was necessary to gain a foothold in 
Maryland before the disorganized forces of the Federal Govern- 
ment were again put in fighting condition, and the campaign 
began with energy and rapidity. 

Jackson having, after his custom, inquii-ed with great interest 
what roads led to the Potomac, in the direction of Arlington 
Heights, and ordered maps to be prepared of the region for his 
use, put his troops in motion toward Leesburg. Marching from 
Oxliill, on Sept. 3d, by way of Dranesville, he bivouacked on 
the 4th at Big Spring, beyond Leesburg, and on the 5th the 
passage of the Potomac was eflected without resistance. The 
scene is said to have been inspiring. 

" When our army reached the middle of the river, which they 
were wading," says an army correspondent, " General Jackson 
pulled off his hat, and the splendid band of music struck up the 
inspiring air of ' Maryland, my Maryland,' which was re- 
sponded to and sung ' with the spirit and with the understand- 
ing' by all who could sing ; and the name of all Avho could then 
and there sing, was legion." 

This scene took place at "White's ford, not far from Leesburg, 
and on the night of the 5tli Jackson's command bivouacked near 
the Three Springs, in Maryland. Captain Randolph, of the 
Black Horse, a company of cavalry attached to the corps head- 



GENERAL LEE ENTERS MARYLAND. 309 

quarters, scouted tlirough the country on the right to give notice 
of any movement of the enemy in that direction ; and the weary 
soldiers slept in peace. 

Jackson had thus obtained an undisturbed foothold upon the 
soil of Maryland, and his troops indulged in rosy dreams of the 
exciting scenes and novel triumphs of a march through the rich 
and unexplored territory of that enemy who had so long laid 
waste the fields of Virginia. " Pennsylvania ! Pennsylvania ! " 
was the watchword throughout the camps ; but even the novel 
and attractive scenes before them had not been sufficient to 
enable a large portion of the troops to overcome the exhaustion 
of the immense march from the Rappahannock, together with 
the want of rest and food. A large portion of the command of 
Jackson, and every other general, had broken dowTi in the rapid 
advance ; all along the road from Manassas to Leesburg thou- 
sands of stragglers, with weary frames and bleeding feet, were 
toiling slowly on in the wake of the army, and the southern 
bank of the Potomac swarmed with thousands of men who had 
sunk down to obtain that rest which nature -demanded, and with- 
out which they could advance no further. 

Befoi'e this great force could rejoin the diiferent corps. Gen- 
eral Lee resumed his march ; the enemy pressed forward on his 
rear, the way was barred, and the Army of Northern Virginia 
continued its march, aad fought its enemies with less than two- 
thirds of its numbers. 

On the 6th of September Jackson reached the vicinity of 
Frederick City, and his old division encamped in the suburbs, 
with the exception of Jones' brigade, commanded by Colonel 
Bradley T. Johnson, which was posted in the place as a provost 
guard, with orders to protect all property, and promptly to sup- 
press any attempt to harass the inhabitants. Swell's and Hill's 
divisions occupied positions near the railroad bridge over the 
Monocacy, to repulse any advance of the enemy from the direc- 
tion of Washington. 

The reception of the Confederate forces in Maryland was not 
encouraging. That ancient commonwealth, illustrated by so 



310 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

many great names, and strongly Southern throughout the larger 
portion of its territory in the habits, opinions, and character of 
its population, was noAv called upon to decide, by its acts, 
whether the Southern proclivities claimed for it were only theo- 
retical, or such as to spur its people on to overt acts against the 
Federal Government. The response seemed to iudicate an 
almost complete indifference, if not open hostility to the Con- 
federate cause ; and instead of being received with smiles, the 
troops were looked upon with ill-concealed dislike. It was not 
until afterwards that the Confederates came to understand this 
singular reception. They had entered a portion of the State 
entirely dissimilar to the lower counties, where the Soutliern 
sentiment was powerful. Here the T?nion feeling was in the 
ascendant, as in Western Virginia, and little encouragement met 
the Southern arms, "What would liave been the result of an 
advance into the lower counties, where the planters were like 
those of Eastern Virginia, nearly unanimous in favor of the 
South, we can only conjecture ; but in Frederick City and above 
that point General Lee was met with little enthusiasm, and re- 
ceived almost no recruits. 

There were, however, many exceptions to this want of cordi- 
ality in the demeanor of the people. One Marylander fed in a 
single day six hundred Southern soldiers ; officers and men were 
urged to stop and use the houses and all they contained ; many 
ladies sewed day and night on garments for the ragged troops ; 
and from the houses of a few daring gentlemen waved wliite 
handkerchiefs and the Confederate flag. An incident of the time 
was the presentation of a magnificent riding horse to General 
Jackson as soon as he crossed the river, which, however, came 
xery near resulting in his death. Frightened by the martial 
sounds around him, tlie animal reared violently, and nothing but 
Jackson's firm seat in the saddle — for with all his want of grace, 
he was an excellent rider — saved him from a heavy fall. 

The following passages from the letter of an army corre- 
spondent, written on the 8th of September, presents a picture of 
Frederick City at the time, and, with some allowance for the 



GENERAL LEE ENTERS MARYLAND. 311 

obvious desire of the writer to persuade himself that the recep- 
tion of the Southern troops was enthusiastic, may be taken as a 
truthful statement of the condition of things at the moment : 

" Frederick to-day presents a busy scene, more like that of a 
Fourth of July festival than a gathering of armed invaders. A 
majority of the stores are closed to general admission, because 
of the crowds eager to press and buy, but a little diplomacy 
secures an entrance at the back door, or past the sentinel Avisely 
stationed to protect the proprietor from the rush of anxious cus- 
tomers. Prices are going up rapidly. Every thing is so cheap, 
that our men frequently lay down a five dollar bill to pay for a 
three dollar article, and rush out without waiting for the change. 
The good people here don't understand it. Bitter complaints 
are uttered against those who refuse Confederate money, and 
it is understood that the authorities will insist upon its general 
circulation. 

" The people are beginning to recover from their surprise at 
our sudden appearance, and to realize the magnitude of our 
preparations to advance through and relieve Maryland from her 
thraldom. Some are still moody, and evidently hate us heartily, 
but we are more than compensated by the warm welcome of 
others, who now begin to greet us from every quarter. Only a 
few moments ago I met a lady Avho confessed that although she 
had Confederate flags ready to expose in her windows as we 
passed, she was afraid to wave them, lest being discovered by 
her Union neighbors, she should be reported to the Federals in 
case of our retreat, and be thereby subjected to insult if cot im- 
prisonment at their hands. To assure me how true were her 
sentiments, she introduced me to a large room in her house, 
where there were fourteen ladies, young and old, busy as bees, 
making shirts, drawers, and other clothing for the soldiers. 

" She was also distributing money and tobacco to the soldiers. 
Jiidging probably from my rags that I too was in a destitute 
condition, she benevolently desii'ed to take me in hand and re- 
plenish ray entity throughout ; but of course I declined, and 
though I could not helpsmilling at the ingenuous oddity of the 



312 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

proposition, a tear at the same time stole down my cheek at the 
thought of the sufferings which these noblc-lioartcd ladies must 
have endured to prompt the unselfish generosity by which they 
endeavored to express their delight in our presence." 

General Lee had given the strictest orders in relation to 
depredations by the troops ; and the same writer adds, " though 
thousands of soldiers are now roaming through the town, there 
has not been a solitary instance of misdemeanor." A Mary- 
lander, Colonel Johnson, commanded the strong provost guard ; 
no Union man was molested ; " pay as you go," was the policy 
of the Southern leaders ; and all kinds of property used by the 
troops, even the fence rails which they burned, were carefully 
paid for. Never before had the world beheld the spectacle of a 
hostile army, in an enemy's territory, conducting itself with such 
perfect regard for the rights of property and the feelings of the 
inhabitants. The result was soon evident. " Prices are going 
up rapidly," says the newspaper correspondent already quoted. 
Two days after the arrival of the " Rebels," they were found 
not to be such terrible monsters after all ; and goods which at first 
were sold at " greenback" prices, were now held at many hun- 
di'eds per cent, higher. Recruits did not appear. 

Meanwhile General Lee had prepared his address to the 
people of Maryland ; and if any doubt remained of the policy 
which would be pursued by the Confederate commander, this 
authoritative statement of his views and intentions set that doubt 
at rest. The army and the people of the State awaited tlie 
document with intense interest ; and when it was published, on 
the 8th of September, at Frederick City, it was seized upon and 
read with avidity, and had soon been disseminated aud read 
tlu-oughout the entire North. The address Avas in these words : 

IIeadquartehs Army of Northern Vircixia, ) 
Near Frederick Town, Sept. 8tb, 18G2. J 
To the People of Maryland : 

It is right that you should know the purpose that has brought the army 
under my command within the limits of your State, so far as that purpose 
concerns yourselves. 

The people of the Confederate States have long watched, with the deepest 



GENEEAIi LEE ENTEES MAJRTLAND. 313 

sympathy, the wrongs and outrages that have been inflicted upon the citizens 
of a commonwealth allied to the States of the South by the strongest social, 
political, and commercial ties. 

, They have seen, with profound indignation, their sister State deprived of 
every right, and reduced to the condition of a conquered province. 

Under the pretence of supporting the Constitution, but in violation of its 
most valuable provisions, your citizens have been arrested and imprisoned 
upon no charge, and contrary to all forms of law. The faithful and manly 
protest against this outrage, made by the venerable and illustrious Mary- 
landers, to whom, in better days, no citizen appealed for right in vain, was 
treated with scorn and contempt. The government of your chief city has 
been usurped by armed strangers ; your Legislature has been dissolved by 
the unlawful arrest of its members ; freedom of the press and of speech have 
been suppressed ; words have been declared offences by an arbitrary decree 
of the Federal Executive, and citizens ordered to be tried by a mihtary com- 
mission for what they may dare to speak. 

Believing that the people of Mai-yland possessed a spirit too lofty to sub- 
mit to such a Government, the people of the South have long wished to aid 
you in throwing off this foreign yoke, to enable you again to enjoy the in- 
alienable rights of freemen, and restore independence and sovereignty to your 
State. 

In obedience to this wish our army has come among you, and is prepared 
to assist you with the power of its arms in i-egaining the rights of which you 
have been despoiled. This, citizens of Maryland, is our mission, so far as you 
are concerned. No constraint upon your free will is intended — no intimidation 
will be allowed. Within the limits of this army at least, Marylanders shall 
once more enjoy their ancient freedom of thought and speech. We know no 
enemies among you, and will protect all, of every opinion. It is for you to 
decide your destiny, freely and without constraint. This army will respect 
your choice, whatever it may be ; and while the Southern people will rejoice 
to welcome you to your natural position among them, they will only welcome 
you when you come of your own free will. 

R. E. LEE, General Commanding. 

The campaign in Maryland was thus undertaken to aid the 
people of that State in " throwing oiF the foreign yoke" which 
had so long weighed down theii- necks ; in " regaining the rights 
of which they had been despoiled ; " "to enable them again to 
enjoy the inalienable rights of freemen, and restore independence 
and sovereignty to the State." 

No citizen would be coerced ; no man's property taken from 



314 LITE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

him ; if lie joined the Southern army he would be welcome, but 
if he remained at home he would not be molested'. To each and 
all was accorded the right to " decide his destiny, freely and 
without restraint." 

Certain persons have put themselves to the trouble of at- 
tempting to discover a profound ruse in this address. Such a 
construction of the grave and statesmanlike paper is simply 
absurd- The advance into Maryland was made for the purpose 
stated by General Lee, and circumstances wholly beyond his 
control — against the force of which he could not contend — dic- 
tated his subsequent operations. What these circumstances 
were, Avill be stated in the ensuing pages of this work. 

General Lee had thus advanced without resistance into the 
enemy's country, and his eagles already began to open their 
broad wings for flight toward the rich fields of Pennsylvania. 
But one serious cause of delay existed, which changed the whole 
face of affairs. This Avas the fortress, as it may appropriately 
be called, of ILarper's Ferry. At Harper's Ferry a force of 
11,000 of the enemy, with seventy-three pieces of artillery, re- 
mained, directly in his rear; and it was necessary before pro- 
ceeding to enter on greater movements to gain possession of this 
strong point which they still held. 

On his trial, General McClellan, in reply to the question, 
" Will you give a statement of the principal events connected 
with the Maryland campaign ? " said : 

" When at Frederick we found the original order issued to 
General D. II. Hill by direction of General Lee, which gave the 
orders of march for their whole army, and developed their inten- 
tions. The substance of the order was, that Jackson was to 
move from Frederick by the main Hagerstown road, and leaving 
it at some point near Middletown to cross the Potomac near 
Sharpsburg, and endeavor to capture the garrison of Martins- 
burg, and cut off the retreat of the garrison of Harper's Ferry 
in that direction. General McLaws was ordered, with his own 
command and the division of General Anderson, to move out by 
the same Hagerstown road and gain possession of the Maryland 



GENEEAL LEE ENTERS MARYLAND. 315 

Heights, opposite Harper's Ferry. General Walker, who was 
then apparently somewhere near the mouth of the Monocacy, 
was to move through Lovettsville and gain possession of Lou- 
doun Heights, thus completing the investment of Harper's Ferry. 
General Longstreet was ordered to move to Hagerstown, with 
Hill to serve as a rear guard. * * * * It was directed in 
the same order that after Jackson, Walker, McLavv'S, etc., had 
taken Harper's Ferry, they were to rejoin the main army at 
Hagerstown or Boonsboro'. That order is important in another 
sense. It shows very plainly that the object of the enemy was 
to go to Pennsylvania, or at least to remain in Maryland." 

The discovery of this order was most unfortunate for the suc- 
cess of the campaign. Prompt steps were taken by the enemy 
to check the advance of General Lee, relieve Harper's Ferry, 
and defeat the projected invasion of Pennsylvania. 

After the battle of Manassas great confusion is said to have 
reigned in the Federal councils at Washington ; and the antici- 
pated attack of the Southern army upon the capital was regarded 
with terror. General Pope was cast aside, and the distinguished 
officer Avho had fallen under the displeasure of the Federal Ex- 
ecutive, and been deprived of the command of the army, w'as 
appealed to in this critical emergency. General McClellan rose 
to the command of the entire forces in and around Washington 
without an effort on his part ; and he acted without consultation 
with any one, and under no orders but " Save the Capital." The 
genius of this skilful soldier was equal to the occasion. Troops 
were hurried forward from various parts of the North ; the rem- 
nants of the army defeated at Manassas were collected and re- 
organized ; Burnside's column was brought up ; all the reserves 
which had not arrived in time to participate in these great con- 
tests were put in requisition, and another army, numbering about 
1 00,000 men, was at once ready to take the field. Never had the 
great resources in men and material of the Federal Government 
been more strikingly displayed ; and the Southern troops w^ere 
now called upon to meet a fresh army. With this great mass 
of old soldiers and ncAv, veterans and conscripts. General Mc- 



31G LITE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

Clellan took position in front of "Washington ; when, finding that 
General Lee no longer threatened that city, and had moved 
toward Pennsylvania, the Federal commander hurried forward 
in the direction of Frederick City. 

General McCleUan was still completely ignorant of Lee's de- 
signs, and it was necessary for him to move with caution so as 
cover the capital. President Lincoln was evidently uneasy, 
from the apprehension that Lee's advance into Maryland was 
only a feint, with a small force to draw the Federal forces 
northward, when the main column would, by a rapid flank 
movement, reach and assault Washington. Hampered by con- 
tinual orders from the "War Office, and unable to penetrate the 
designs of Lee, General McClellan was compelled to advance, 
with his left resting on the Potomac, in order to defeat any flank 
attack upon Washington, and to proceed with a caution which 
was indispensable in dealing with so Avary and dangerous an ad- 
versary. 

Great must have been the joy of General McClellan, there 
fore, at finding, upon a table in Frederick City, the copy of Lee's 
order of march left there by General D. II. Hill. It would be 
difficult to over-estimate the disastrous effect which this careless 
ness on the part of some one had upon General Lee's campaign. 
General McClellan now no longer advanced cautiously, and with 
an eye to the safety of the capital. He knew all General Lee's 
designs, and hastened, without the loss of a moment, to coun- 
teract them. 

If that order had not been found at Frederick City, the re- 
sult of the Maryland campaign would, in all probability, have 
been wholly different. 



BOONSBOEO' AND CEAMPTOn's GAP. 317 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

BOONSBOEO' AND CRAMPTON'S GAP. 

General Lee had, meanwhile, commenced his operations, 
looking to the reduction of Harper's Ferry. 

General Walker was directed to recross the Potomac and 
move up with his brigade to Loudoun Heights, east of Harper's 
Ferry ; General McLaws was sent to occupy Maryland Heights 
opposite the town, on the northern bank of the Potomac, to cut 
off the enemy's retreat if they attempted to fall back toward 
Frederick City ; while General Jackson was directed to march 
straight across the country to Williamsport, take possession of 
Martinsburg, and intercept their retreat if they moved up the 
river, or demand the instant surrender of Harper's Ferry and 
its garrison. Jackson could take care of himself; but General 
McLaws was liable to be assailed in his rear, driven from Maiy- 
land Heights, and the garrison thus relieved. A strong force 
was accordingly posted at South Mountain, on the main road 
from Frederick City to Boonsboro', under command of General 
D. H. HUl, to receive the attack of General McClellan, then 
known to be advancing ; troops were also posted at Crampton's 
Gap and other openings in the mountain lower down ; and Gen- 
eral Longstreet's corps was held in reserve, to move in any di- 
rection which the emergencies of the occasion demanded. The 
cavalry under General Stuart was ordered to bring up and pro- 
tect the rear. 

Before following Jackson in his swift advance to the execu- 
tion of his portion of the programme, let us relate the events 
which occurred simultaneously upon the soil of Maryland. We 
shall thus be enabled to present an uninterrupted narrative of 
the operations of Jackson. 

General McClellan's advancing army first came in collision 
with General Stuart's cavalry near Frederick City on the 11th 



318 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

of September. General Stuart's front extended from New 
Market, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, to Poolesville — 
Fitz Lee being on the left, Hampton in the centre, and Colonel 
Munford, commanding Robertson's brigade, on the right. 

On the 12th the whole line speedily became engaged, and 
opposed the advance of the enemy Avith obstinate valor. The 
Federal advance force was repulsed on repeated charges ; and 
it was not until the corps of the army had moved to their 
assigned positions, that Stuart slowly retired, striking the ad- 
vancing enemy at every step with his rear guard. General 
Hampton, bringing up the rear on the road from Frederick City 
to Middletown, was hotly assailed by a heavy force which had 
rushed into Frederick ; and, annoyed by the galling fire of the 
Federal artillery, supported by a strong column of infantry, he 
charged them with characteristic gallantry, drove back their in- 
fantry with great loss, and captured their artillery, though, the 
horses having been shot, he could not bring it oif. The cavalry 
then slowly retired toward the gaps in the mountain, and on the 
next morning, September 13th, Hampton, who had occupied 
the gap in the Catoctin Mountain near Middletown, was vigor- 
ously assailed by overpowering columns. The gap was obsti- 
nately held by his dismounted men and artillery until late in the 
day, when further check of the enemy becoming unnecessary, he 
was ordered to withdraw.* 

On the 14th the enemy appeared in front of the various gaps in 
the South Mountain, bent on breaking through and hastening to 
the relief of the garrison at Harper's Ferry, now imminently threat 
ened by Jackson. At Crarapton's Gap an obstinate stand was 
made by a small force of dismounted cavalry and infantry under 
Colonel Thomas T. Munford, of the 2d Virginia cavalry, with 
a few hundred men, and the battery of Captain Chew, which had 

* On approaching Crampton's Gap, General Hampton's column was mis- 
taken by Colonel Munford for a force of Federal cavalry, and he ordered the 
artillery to open upon it. The guns were loaded, sighted straight at Hamp- 
ton, and were about to be discharged, when a white flag appeared at the head 
of Vhe column, and this serious accident was averted. 



BOONSBOKO' Am) CEAMPTOn's GAP, 319 

done excellent service in the campaign of the Virginia Valley. 
Colonel Munforcl opposed the advance of Slociim's division of 
the Federal army, and for many hours prevented them from 
passing the mountain. It was only when his ammunition was 
completely exhausted, and the enemy were flanking him on both 
sides, that he retii'ed through the gap, mounted his men, and 
moved down the mountain. General Stuart having appeai'cd 
upon the field, drew up the cavalry, checked the retreat of the 
infantry of General Cobb's command, and at night the small 
Confederate force still opposed the advance of the enemy. 

Meanwhile a still heavier engagement had taken place at 
Boonsboro' Gap, above. The pass at Boonsboro' is a defile, 
through which runs the main turnpike from Federal City to 
Hagerstown. The road is winding, narrow, and rugged — the 
steep mountain on one side, on the other a deep ravine. Near 
the top ai'e two or three houses, but few other objects break the 
monotony of the landscape. The enemy appeared in front of 
the position occupied by General D. H. Hill, and immediately 
assailed him. A severe conflict ensued, the enemy's numbers 
enabling him to gain possession of the commanding ground on 
Hill's left, and by overlapping both wings to press him back. 
Couriers were immediately sent to General Lee announcing the 
condition of afl'airs, and Longstreet was hurried forward from 
Hagerstown to Hill's assistance. The appearance of his corps, 
with Evans on the left, Drayton on the right, and Hood's Texans 
in the centre, at once changed the aspect of the field ; the Federal 
force who were pressing heavily upon Hill and driving him back, 
were repulsed and held in check, and the ground maintained 
against the most determined efforts of the enemy to force a passage . 
In this action General Reno, of the U. S. Army, was killed. 

Receiving information that Harper's Ferry would certainly 
fall on the next morning. General Lee now determined to with- 
draw the commands of Longstreet and Hill, and retire toward 
Sharpsburg, where his communications would be uninterrupted, 
and his army could be concentrated. The trains were accord- 
ingly sent to that point, and the army slowly retired. The dif- 



320 LITE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

ficult and dangerous task of bringing up the rear was entrusted 
to General Fitz Lee, who performed this important duty, as 
afterwards at Sharpsburg, with a courage and ability which ex- 
cited the admiration of the whole army. This accomplished 
officer had distinguished himself by skill and daring upon many 
fields ; but it was left for him, and his associate commanders of 
the cavalry arm, to show the infantry on this occasion that the 
saddle of a cavalryman is not a bed of roses, and that " dead 
bodies with spurs on them " could be discovered, and discovered 
in considerable numbers. 

The last to leave the field, General Stuart Avith his cavalry, 
everywhere met and repulsed the enemy's advance, the Confed- 
erate forces slowly retired, and at daylight on Monday morning 
the army reached Sharpsburg. 

General McClcllan hastened to pass through the mountains, 
soon after dawn on the 15th, and push forward to the relief 
of Harper's Ferry. But he was too late. The golden moment 
had passed away, the strong arm of Jackson had struck. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

CAPTURE or harper's ferry. 

Jack&on had performed tlie work assigned to him with 
rapidity, accuracy, and success. 

Leaving Frederick City on the 10th, as General McClellan 
was pressing forward, he moved with great rapidity through 
Middletown, Boonsboro', and "Williamsport, recrossed the Poto- 
mac into Virginia, at Light's ford, and pressed forward to his 
task. A. P. Hill was sent on the main road to Martinsburg, 
Ewell's and Jackson's old division moved to the North Moun- 
tain depot on the railroad about seven miles northwest of Mar- 
tinsburg, and Major Myers commanding the cavalry was de- 
spatched as far south as the Berkeley and Hampshire turn- 



CAPTUEE OF HAEPEE's FEEET. 321 

pike. The object of these precautions was to prevent the escape 
westward of General White, commanding the Federal force at 
Martinsburg, and they fully attained their object. On the 
night of the 11th General White evacuated the town, and fell 
back to the trap set for him at Harper's Ferry. 

On the 12th Jackson entered the town, capturing large 
quantities of Federal stores. On the morning of the 13th, at 
about 11 o'clock, the head of his column came in view of the 
enemy drawn upon Bolivar Heights. 

We have already presented a brief topographical sketch of 
Harper's Ferry. It is a small village nestling beneath an 
almost perpendicular hill, in the angle formed by the junction of 
the Potomac and the Shenandoah. Bolivar Heights is in rear 
of the town, Maryland Heights is opposite, on the northern 
bank, and Loudoun Heights is that portion of the Blue Ridge 
across the Shenandoah and east of the place. General Johnston 
had retired from this position because it was exposed to an en- 
filade and reverse fire from the heights above mentioned. The 
Confederate forces now occupied these commanding positions — 
it ^as the enemy who were cooped up in Harper's Ferry — and 
Jackson prepared to try upon General Miles, commanding the 
enemy's force, the strategy which General Patterson no doubt in- 
tended to direct against Johnston. 

Jackson immediately had recourse to signals — of which he 
always made great use — to ascertain if General McLaws and 
Walker were in position. Neither height responded to his 
flags ; and a courier was sent to each of the generals for infor- 
mation. Jackson would unquestionably have stormed the place 
that day, the 13th, and have been with his entire command at 
Crampton and Boonsboro' Gaps in time to take part in the battles 
at those two points on the 14th ; but to attack while the enemy 
had their way of escape open, would not only have failed to 
obtain the main object of the expedition, but more than 10,000 
fresh troops would have been thrown against the weak Confeder- 
ate lines at the lower gap of South Mountain. It was not until 
late in the night that the courier from Loudoun Heights brought 
21 



322 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

word that General "Walker was ia position. General McLawa 
was also, at this hour, in his allotted place, having attacked and 
driven off the Fedci-al force on Maryland Heights. 

The character of the ground — mountain and I'iver — render- 
ing communication by courier exceedingly difficult and tedious, 
resort was again had to signals ; but even with this assistance 
Jackson could not, in spite of his utmost exertions, convey to 
Walker and McLaws his orders for the attack until late in the 
day. Time was infinitely precious now, for the distant thtinder 
of artillery from South Mountain indicated the engagements 
there, and nothing had been done at Harper's Ferry. "Walker 
and McLaws signalled that Bolivar Heights, Avhere the enemy 
were still posted, was out of range of their artillery ; and Jack- 
son saw the necessity of forcing the Federal line back under the 
guns of his coadjutors. 

The order of battle by which Jackson surrounded the enemy, 
and reached a position for storming the place in the morning, 
was as follows : 

General Hill was directed to move on the right along the 
bank of the Shenandoah, around the base of the hill, and turning 
the enemy's left, enter the town in their rear. In this move- 
ment E well's division under Qeneral Lawton was to cooperate. 

One brigade of Jackson's old division, and a battery, under 
General Jones, was to make a demonstration against the enemy's 
right, while the remainder of the division as a reserve moved along 
the turnpike in front. 

Major Massie, commanding the cavalry, was directed to 
draw up his command on the left of the line, to prevent the enemy 
from escaping toward Martinsburg. 

General Walker was on Loudoun Heights to prevent their 
escape over the mountain. 

General McLaws was on Maryland Heights to cut them off 
from the line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. 

Tlie Federal commander was thus as com])lctcly environed 
with watchful and dangerous foes, as a wild animal driven into 
his hole by a party of hunters, with all the avenues barrod 



CAPTURE OF haepek's perey. 323 

against his exit. Like a wolf in some cavern of the mountains, 
he was about to be smoked out, and forced either to surrender or 
die defending himself. 

The movement commenced on the left, late in the afternoon, 
the Stonewall Brigade, under Colonel Gi'igsby, advancing to 
secure an elevated position on the enemy's right. The Federal 
cavalry here stationed was promptly dispersed, and the eminence 
seized upon. General Hill was equally successful on the right, 
nest to the Shenandoah. Moving obliquely until he struck the 
river, he observed in front of him a commanding position occu- 
pied by Federal infantry, but no artillery — the approaches 
having been obstructed by an abatis of feUed trees. The 
brigades of Pender, Ai'cher, and Brockenbrough were directed to 
storm the position, and rushing forward, Pender in advance, 
they attained the crest of the hill, the enemy retreating almost 
without resistance. 

In the centre the h'ne was also pushed forward with energy. 
Ewell's division, under Lawton, moved along the turnpike and 
the fields which skirted it, in three columns, until it reached Hall- 
town, when line of battle was formed, and Lawton advanced to 
School House Hill ; his own brigade and Trimble's being on the 
right of the road, and Hay's and Early's on the left. 

Such was the position of the Confederate lines when night 
descended. But the hours of darkness were not suffered to 
pass unimproved. The brigades of Branch and Gregg, with 
Thomas' as a reserve, moved along the Shenandoah, and taking 
advantage of the ravines of the pi'ecipitous banks of the river, 
established themselves on the plain to the left and rear of the 
enemy's works ; and aU night the Confederate artillery was 
moving into position. Jackson had a passion for artillery, as 
we have already stated, and on this occasion he seems to have 
posted his batteries with a care which left nothing to be desired. 
Colonel Lindsey "Walker had put in position on the crest gained 
by Pender, on the enemy's left, the batteries of Pegram, Mcin- 
tosh, Davidson, Braxton, and CrenshaAV ; and during the night 
Colonel Crutchfield, Jackson's chief of artillery, crossed ten 



324 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

guns of Ewell's division over the Shenandoah and established 
them on the right bank, on the acclivity of the mountain, so as 
to enfilade the Federal position on Bolivar Heights, and take his 
nearest and most formidable fortifications in reverse. The other 
batteries of Ewell's division were placed upon School House 
Hill ; Poague and Carpenter were posted on the left, opposite the 
Federal right, and Walker and McLaws were directed to cooperate 
in the assault from the heights on the cast and the north — Jackson 
signalling to them : " I have occupied and now hold the enemy's 
first line of intrenchments, and, with the blessing of God, will 
capture the whole force early in the morning." 

At dawn on the 15th of September, at the moment when 
General McClellan began to move from Boonsboro' upon the re- 
tu-ing forces of General Lee, Jackson opened his artillery upon 
Harper's Ferry. Colonel Walker, HiU's chief of artillery, com- 
menced a rapid enfilade fire from all his batteries at about one 
thousand yards, and their thunders were echoed by the guns on 
School House Hill in front. Soon the batteries of Brown, Gar- 
ber, Latimer, and Dement across the Shenandoah opened on the 
Federal rear ; and Poague and Carpenter answered from the 
left, pouring a hot and heavy fii'e upon the enemy's right. 
Above the heads of the cannoneers raced the shot and chell of 
Walker and McLaws from the Loudoun and Maryland Heights — 
rendering the scene one of great magnificence. The Federal bat- 
teries replied, and for an hour kept up a resolute fire- At the end 
of that time their fire slackened, and then seemed to Le silenced. 

All at once the batteries of Colonel Walker ceaped their fire, 
and the infantry prepared to storm their works, for this was the 
signal agreed upon. Pender had commenced his advance against 
their left, when the enemy made a last eflTort, and again opeued. 
The batteries of Pegram and Crenshaw replied with a rapid and 
destructive fire, and the infantry was about to rush forward and 
storm the positions of the enemy, when a white flag fluttered 
from the Federal works, and in the midst of cheers which rolled 
aloft and were reechoed from the wooded mountain, it was an- 
nounced that tlie Federal commander had surrendered. 



CAPTURE OF harper's FERRY. 325 

The scenes whicli ensued were singular, and those who were 
present will long remember them. Jackson had been up for the 
greater part of the night, and for many preceding nights had 
scarcely slept an hour, although he requii'ed more rest than any 
general in the army. He was now exhausted, and had no soon- 
er satisfied himself that the place had fallen than he sat down on 
the ground, leaned his elbow on a log, and was asleep in a mo- 
ment. Meanwhile General HiU had communicated with the 
Federal General White, who had succeeded to the command in 
consequence of a mortal wound received by Colonel Miles, 
and now came, in company with that officer, to arrange with 
Jackson the terms of surrender. The contrast between Gene- 
ral White's neat uniform and Jackson's dingy coat is represented 
as having been very striking ; and the Confederate commander 
wore an old hat, less imposing even than his yellow cap, of 
which some lady in Martinsburg had robbed him. General 
White probably regarded with some curiosity this singular speci- 
men of a Southern general, and allowed Hill to open the inter- 
view. The latter said to Jackson : 

" General, this is General Wliite, of the United States Army." 

Jackson made a courteous movement, but seemed ready to 
fall asleep again, when Hill added : 

" He has come to arrange the terms of surrender." 

Jackson made no reply, and, looking under his slouch hat, 
Hill found that he was asleep. He was again roused, and at last 
raising his head with difficulty, said to the Federal commander : 

" The surrender must be unconditional. General. Every in- 
dulgence can be granted afterwards." 

As he finished speaking Jackson's head fell, and unable to 
contend against his drowsiness he again fell asleep, and the in- 
terview terminated. The terms of the surrender were liberal. 
The officers and men were paroled, with liberty to retain all 
their personal effects, and the former their side-arms ; and trans- 
portation was furnished them for their property. Upon these 
terms 11,000 troops were sui'rendered. 

An amusing incident of the time is thus related by an officer 



326 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

of the Federal army, -who met Jackson in the streets of Harper's . 
Ferry. 

" While we were in conversation," said this officer, " an 
orderly rode rapidly across the bridge, and said to General 
Jackson : 

" ' I am ordered by General McLaws to report to you that 
General McClellan is within six miles with an immense army ! ' 

" Jackson took no notice of the orderly, apparently, and con- 
tinued his conversation ; but when the orderly had turned away 
Jackson called after him with the question : 

" ' Has General McClellan any baggage train or drove of 
cattle?' 

" The reply was that he had. Jackson remarked that ' he 
could whip any army that was followed by a flock of cattle ' — al- 
luding to the hungry condition of his men." 

It is a well-known fact that the Federal troops, instead of re- 
garding their conqueror with a sentiment of hatred, exhibited 
the liveliest admiration for him and curiosity to see him. Many 
desired to shake hands with him, and did so. This feeling of 
the Northern troops was displayed upon many occasions. A 
gentleman of Culpepper was offered by a Federal soldier $500 
in " greenbacks " for Jackson's autogi-aph, but refused it ; and 
a Federal officer said to a member of General Longstreet's staff, 
whilst a prisoner in Washington : 

" I believe if we were to capture Stonewall Jackson, our 
troops Avould cheer him as he passed along." 

Jackson captured at Harper's Ferry 11,000 -prisoners, in- 
cluding a brigadier-general ; 13,000 small-arms ; 73 pieces of 
artillery ; about 200 wagons, and a large amount of camp and 
garrison equipage. His loss was small. 

The following was his despatch announcing the surrender ? 

Headquarteus Vallet Disthict, September 16, 1862. 

Colonel : Yesterday God crowned our arms with another brilliant success 
on the surrender, at Harper's Ferry, of Brigadier-General White and ll,00u 
troops, an equal number of small-arms, 73 pieces of artillery, and about 200 
wagons. 

In addition to other stores, there is a large amount of camp and garrison 



SHAKPSBUBG, OR Aiq'TIETAM. 327 

equipage. Our loss was very small. The meritorious conduct of officers and 
men will be mentioned in a more extended report. 

I am, Colonel, your obedient servant, 

T. J. JACKSON, Major-General. 
Colonel K. H. Chilton, A. A. General. 

It has been truthfully declared that the capture of Harper's 
Ferry was worth the entire campaign in Maryland ; and the 
results achieved induced the belief, above alluded to, that Gen- 
eral Lee had no other end in view when he advanced into that 
country. Such a supposition is exceedingly absurd ; but the 
capture of 11,000 prisoners, 73 pieces of artillery, 13,000 stand 
of arms, and 200 wagons, is an amount of damage which few 
victories intlict upon an enemy. 

No good fortune, however, is entirely without alloy ; and 
the movement against Plarper's Ferry had withdrawn from Gen- 
eral Lee a force at that moment infinitely precious. With Jack- 
son, McLaws, and Walker detached from the main body, he had 
been compelled to arrest his advance into Pennsylvania, and fall 
back to Sharpsburg to unite his army ; and thus, instead of oc- 
cupying the aggressive attitude of an invader, to stand on the 
defensive. 

Jackson was now ordered to rejoin General Lee without de- 
lay, and leaving General A. P. Hill at Harper's Ferry — to 
which Walker and McLaws had crossed — ^he took his two re- 
maining divisions, and by a severe night march reached Sharps- 
burg on the morning of the 16th September. 



CHAPTER XX. 

SHARPSBURG, OR ANTIETAM. 

The battles of Boonsboro' and Crampton's Gap took place 
on Sunday, September 14thi ; Harper's Ferry surrendered on 
the morning of the 15th ; Tuesday, the 16th, was spent by both 
combatants in concentrating their forces for the great conflict 
which was to ensue. 



328 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

The battle of Sharpsburg was fought cast and north of the 
town of that name, in the valley immediately west of South 
Mountain. 

This valley is undulating and broken into innumerable emi- 
nences of every size, from diminutive knolls to steep and lofty 
hills. Many of the depressions between these hills are dry, af 
fording good cover for infantry, while others are traversed by 
Antietam Creek, a deep, narrow, and crooked water-course, 
which twists about like a serpent, and has to be ••' crossed every 
ten minutes." Sharpsburg is situated on the western side of the 
valley, and on the eastern side, near the foot of South Mouq- 
tain, are the little villages of Peterstown and Keedysville. Nu- 
merous farm-houses dot the valley in every direction, some 
standing out plainly on the hill tops, others half hidden on the 
slopes, with their ample barns and orchards. Fields of clover 
and ripe corn stretched on every hand, and to the northward a 
dense belt of woods shut in the prospect. In this amphitheatre, 
with the hills rising in terraces around it, the two great adver- 
saries, Lee and McClellan, were now to close in one of those 
desperate struggles, which will throw a glare so lurid on the an- 
nals of this period. 

An army correspondent writes : " Jackson and Lawton 
(commanding Ewell's division), always in time, had come for- 
ward rapidly during the night, and were in position on our ex- 
treme left. What a strange strength and confidence we all felt 
in the presence of that man ' Stonewall ' Jackson " ! 

General Lee's line of battle was in front of Sharpsburg, 
with Longstreet on the right, D. H. Hill in the centre, and Jack- 
son on the left — the cavalry under Stuart being posted on the 
extreme left of the line. The divisions of McLaws, Anderson, 
and A. P. Hill, and Walker's brigade had not arrived on the 
night of the IGth, and Jackson had under him only Ewell's and 
his own division. 

The Federal line was several miles in length, and their forces 
embraced the corps of Burnside, Mansfield, Hooker, Sumner, 
Franklin, Williams (formerly that of Banks, Jackson's old ad- 



_ il 



SHAEPSBUEG, OR ANTIETAM. 329 

versarj), and Sykes' division of Fitz John Porter's corps. Gen- 
eral Hooker held the right of their line, one of his divisions 
being commanded by General Meade, and Burnside the left. 

On the evening of the 16th the opposing lines had already 
come into collision, General McClellan having thrown Hooker 
across the Antietam on his right for the assault next morning. 
Jackson's division and General Hood, holding the left of D. H. 
HUl, were attacked, but the enemy's batteries were soon silenced, 
and, resting on their arms in close proximity to the Federal lines, 
the Southern troops snatched a brief sleep before the arduous 
struggle of the coming day. 

At dawn skirmishing commenced between the advanced 
lines of Jackson and Hooker, now reenforced by the corps of 
Mansfield, and in a short time the Federal batteries, so posted 
on the opposite sides of the Antietam as to enfilade the Confed- 
erate line, opened a heavy and destructive fire. Jackson's bat- 
teries under Poague, Carpenter, Brockenbrough, Raine, Caskie, 
and Wooding returned it hotly, and about sunrise the Federal 
infantry advanced in heavy force to the edge of the wood, on the 
eastern edge of the turnpike, driving in Jackson's skirmishers, 
and opening upon his lines a determined fire of shell and canister 
from their batteries at close range. This was kept up for some 
time, when General Hooker suddenly advanced his line and 
threw his entire column against Jackson. The firing which suc- 
ceeded was heavy and incessant. The best troops of the Fed 
eral army had been concentrated in this portion of the field to 
turn the Confederate left, and the attempt was made with des- 
peration. For more than two hours the lines of Jackson sus- 
tained this almost overwhelming assault without giving back, 
and the great mortality which resulted was sufficient evidence 
of the desperate character of the struggle. General Starke, 
commanding Jackson's division, and Colonel Douglas, command- 
ing Lawton's brigade, were killed ; Generals Jones, Lawton, and 
Walker were wounded and disabled ; more than half of the 
brigades of Lawton and Hays were either killed or wounded ; 
more than a third of Trimble's, and all the regimental com- 



330 LIl^E OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

maaders in these brigades except two were cither killed or 
wounded. Meanwhile column after column of fresh troops were 
thrown into action on the Federal side, as their ranks were 
swept back by the galling fire, and thus for hour after hour, now 
giving back, now advancing, the Southern lines held their orig- 
inal ground. The batteries of General Stuart, commanded by 
Major Pelham, his chief of artillery, under his direction, took a 
leading part in this hot struggle ; and so judiciously had these 
guns been posted, as General Jackson's report will show, that 
they had a most important bearing on the fortunes of the day. 

Jackson's line, a very thin one, owing to the absence of sc 
large a portion of his command, sustained the heavy Federal fire 
with great gallantry, but their ammunition became completely 
exhausted at last ; and Jackson himself gave the order for his 
line to retire slowly.* This movement was not the result of 
panic or confusion. A writer in the New York " Herald " said, 
'•' The rebel forces fell back slowly, and in very fair order, disput- 
ing every foot that they gave up with the greatest obstinacy." 

This retrograde inspired the enemy with new ardor. Their 
right wing now rapidly advanced, and soon threatened to envelop 
the Confederate left. It was almost at right angles with the 
Federal centre, and General Hooker continued to extend his 
right still further to outflank his adversary. Prompt steps were 
necessary to counteract this dangerous manoeuvre, and Jackson 
quickly moved his line to the left and rear, facing obliquely to 
the left to meet this ncAv assault. Into the gap thus made upon 
Ms right the two small brigades of Texans under Hood threw 
themselves with conspicuous gallantry. 

Seeing Hood in their path, the enemy paused, and a Northern 
correspondent writes : " While our advance rather faltered, the 

* " Want of ammuaition " has so often been the excuse for bad fighting 
and fair defeat, that the present writer dislikes even the phrase. But the defi- 
cient transportation of General Lee's army, and the absence of raih-oad con- 
nection with his depots at Richmond, were very severely felt both at Sliarps- 
burg and Gettysburg. The Federal army was much more fortunate in these 
particulars. 



SHAEPSBUEG, OR ANTIETAM. 331 



rebels, greatly reenforced, made a sudden and impetuous onset 
and drove our gallant fellows back over a portion of the hard- 
won field. What we had won, however, was not relinquished 
without a despei-ate struggle, and here up the hills and down, 
through the woods and the standing corn, over the ploughed land 
and the clover, the line of fire swept to and fro as one side or 
the other gained a temporary advantage." 

Hood was now fighting with his right toward the main line 
of the enemy, for General Hooker had swept round so far that, 
as we have said, his line was almost at right angles with its 
original position. Hood threw himself into the action with great 
gallantry, and says, in his report : " Here I witnessed the most 
terrible clash of arms by far that has occurred during the war. 
The two little giant brigades of my command wrestled with the 
mighty force, and, although they lost hundreds of their ofiicers 
and men, they drove them from their position and forced them 
to abandon their guns on our left." One of these brigades num- 
bered only 854 men. 

Jackson had meanwhile moved Ewell's division toward the 
Duukard Church, and rapidly formed a new line with a portion 
of his own division on his right to oppose the further advance of 
the enemy, who had rushed forward and planted a battery on the 
turnpike near the edge of the woods. 

Every thing now depended upon the arrival of the forces 
under General McLaws. That oiRcer advanced so slowly that 
all the fruits of the terrible struggle of Jackson and Hood were 
lost. 

Before General McLaws had reached the field. General 
Hooker made another and more determined attempt to turn the 
Confederate left. The brunt of the battle was evidently here, 
and a most persistent effort was made to break through Jackson's 
line, or flank and drive it back in confusion on the centre. The 
hottest portion of this assault was borne on the extreme left by 
the Stonewall Brigade, which received the enemy Avith a deter- 
mined fire, and momentarily checked them — and on the right, 
Ewell had succeeded in holding his ground. At this crisis a 



332 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

heavy Federal column, supposed to be General Sumner's corps, 
appeared upon the left, and Jackson would have been forced in a 
short time to retire, when liis own reenforccments reached the 
field. Semmcs' and Anderson's brigades, with a portion of tlie 
divisions of Barksdale and McLaws, formed line of battle as soon 
as they reached the ground ; and soon the whole line, including 
the Stonewall Brigade, swept forAvard in a determined charge. 
This charge drove the enemy back, compelled them to surrender 
all the ground they had gained, and pressing on, the Confederate 
troops forced them from and beyond the woods for more than a 
mile. 

Jackson had thus entirely defeated the persistent attempt to 
turn his left, and General McClellan's report shows that the re- 
sult of the Federal attack in this part of the field was regarded 
by him as decisive of the battle. Such was undoubtedly the 
fact ; and the repulse of the Federal lines was so complete that 
Jackson speedily assumed the offensive, and in his turn advanced 
to turn the Federal right. General Stuart, with his cavalry, led 
the advance in this movement, but from the nature of the ground, 
Jackson states, the design was soon abandoned. The Potomac 
here makes a remarkable beud, and the narrow ground between 
the river and the enemy's right was so completely commanded 
by their artillery, that Jackson finally determined that the move- 
ment was too hazardous to be attempted. 

Of the fighting of the troops under Jackson and Hood on 
this occasion, a Northern writer says : 

" It is beyond all wonder how men such as the rebel troops 
are can fight as they do. That those ragged and filthy wretches, 
sick, Imngry, and in all ways miserable, should prove such heroes 
in fight, is past explanation. Men never fought better. There 
was one regiment that stood up before the fire of two or three 
of our long range batteries and of two regiments of infantry, and 
though the air around them was vocal with the whistle of bullets 
and the scream of slicUs, there they stood and delivered their fire 
in perfect order." 

Of this great action in other portions of the field we present 



SHAEPSBUEG, OK ANTIETAM. 333 

the following animated description from a Southern journal, 
which, if not entirely accurate, will at least convey to the reader 
something of the emotions of an eye-witness : 

" The Fight upon the Centke. — Soon after the cessation 
of the fight on the left, the enemy made a strong demonstration 
upon our centre, in front of the division of General D. H. Hill. 
Here, for awhile, the contest was carried on mainly by artillery, 
with which both the enemy and oarselves were abundantly sup- 
plied. The only difference between the two, if any at all, was in 
the superiority of their metal and positions, and on our part the 
lack of sufficient ammunition. Battery after battery was sent to 
the rear exhausted, and our ordnance wagons, until late in the 
day, were on the opposite side of the Potomac, blocked by the 
long commissary trains which had been ordered forward from 
Martinsburg and ShepherdstoAvn to relieve the necessities of the 
army. 

" As indicated in the former part of this letter, our artillery 
was posted on the summits of the line of hills which ran from 
right to left in front of the town. That of the enemy, with one 
exception, was on the rising ground at the base of the Blue 
Ridge, and upon the various eminences this side. A single Fed- 
eral battery was boldly thrown over the Stone bridge, on the 
turnpike, nine hundred or a thousand yards in our front, and 
held its position until disabled, with a hardihood worthy of a 
better cause. I cannot now name all the positions of the differ- 
ent batteries — only those which I saw. Altogether, we may 
have had playing at this time one hundred guns. The enemy 
having at least an equal number, you may imagine what a horrid 
concert filled the air, and how unremitting was the hail of heavy 
balls and shells, now tearing their way through the trees, now 
bursting and throwing their murderous fragments on every side, 
and again burying themselves amid a cloud of dust in the earth, 
always where they were least expected. 

" This exchange of ii'on compliments had been kept up from 
early morning, but at eleven o'clock the fire began to concentrate 
and increase in severity. Columns of the enemy could be dis- 



334: LITE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

tinctly seen across the Antietam on the open ground beyond, 
moving as if in preparation to advance. Others were so far in 
the distance that you could recognize them as troops only by the 
sunlight that gleamed upon their arms, ■while considerable num- 
bers were within cannon shot, defiantly flaunting their flags in 
our faces. At twelve o'clock the scene from the apex of the 
turnpike was truly magnificent, and the eye embraced a picture 
such as falls to the lot of few men to look upon in this age. 

" From twenty diflferent stand-points great volumes of smoke 
were every instant leaping from the muzzles of angry guns. The 
air was filled Avith the white fantastic shapes that floated aAvay 
from bursted shells. Men were leaping to and fro, loading, fir- 
ing, and handling the artillery, and now and then a hearty yell 
would reach the ear amid the tumult, that spoke of death or dis- 
aster from some Avell-aimed ball. Before us were the enemy. 
A regiment or two had crossed the river, and, running in squads 
from the woods along its banks, were trying to form a line. 
Suddenly a shell falls among them, and another and another, 
until the thousands scatter like a swarm of flies, and disappear 
in the woods. A second time the effort is made, and there is a 
second failure. Then there is a diversion. The batteries of tlic 
Federals open afresh ; their infantry try another point, and finally 
they succeed in efiecting a lodgment on this side. Our troops, 
under D. H. Hill, meet them, and a fierce battle ensues in the 
centre. Backward, forward, surging and s^'aying like a ship in 
a storm, the various columns are seen in motion. It is a hot 
place for us, but is hotter still for the enemy. They are du-ectly 
under our gu^s, and we mow them down like grass. The raw 
levies, sustained by the veterans behind, come up to the work 
well, and fight for a short time with an excitement incident to 
their novel experiences of a battle ; but soon a portion of their 
line gives way in confusion. Their reserves come up, and en- 
deavor to retrieve the fortunes of the day. Om* centre, however, 
stands firm as adamant, and they fall back. Pursuit on our 
part is useless, for if we drove the enemy at all on the other 
side of the river, it would be against the sides of the mountain, 



SHAEPSBUEG, OE ANTIETAM. 335 

where one man, fighting for his life and liberty, disciplined or 
undisciplined, would be equal to a dozen. 

" Meanwhile, deadly work has been going on among our ar- 
tillery. "Whatever they may have made others suffer, nearly all 
the companies have suffered severely themselves. The great 
balls and shells of the enemy have been thrown with wonderful 
accuracy, and dead and wounded men, horses, and disabled cais- 
sons are visible in every battery. The instructions from General 
Lee are that there shall be no more artillery duels. Instead, 
therefore, of endeavoring to silence the enemy's guns, Colonel 
Walton directs his artillery to receive the fire of their antagonists 
quietly, and deliver their own against the Federal infantry. The 
wisdom of the order is apparent at every shot, for with the over- 
whelming numbers of the enemy, they might have defeated us at 
the outset but for the powerful and weU-directed adjuncts we pos- 
sessed in our heavy guns. 

" Time and again did the Federals perse veringly press close 
up to our ranks, so near indeed that their supporting battei-ies 
were obliged to cease firing lest they should kill their own men ; 
but just as often were they driven back by the combined elements 
of destruction which we brought to bear upon them. It was an 
hour when every man was wanted. The sharpshooters of the 
enemy were picking off our principal oificers continually, and espe- 
cially those who made themselves conspicuous in the batteries. 
In this manner the company of Captain Miller, of the Washing- 
ton Artillery, was nearly disabled, only two out of his four guns 
being fully manned. As it occupied a position directly under the 
eye of General Longstreet, and he saw the valuable part it was 
performing in defending the centre, that officer dismounted him- 
self from his horse, and assisted by his Adjutant-General, Major 
Sorrel, Major Fairfax, and General Drayton, worked one of the 
guns until the crisis was passed. To see a general officer wield- 
ing the destinies of a great fight, with its care and responsibili- 
ties upon his shoulders, performing the duty of a common soldier, 
in the thickest of the conflict, is a picture worthy of the pencil 
of an artist. 



336 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

" The result of this battle, though at one time doubtful, ■was 
finally decisive. The enemy were driven across the river with 
a slaughter that was terrible. 

" There now ensued a silence of two hours, broken only by 
the occasional discharges of artillery. It was a sort of breath- 
ing time, when the panting combatants, exliausted by the battle, 
stood silently eying each other, and making ready — the one to 
strike, and the other to ward off another staggering blow. 

" The Fight on the Eight. — It was now about 3 o'clock 
in the afternoon, but ' notwithstanding the strange lull in the 
storai, no one believed it would not be renewed before night. 
Intelligence had come from the rear that General A. P. Hill 
was advancing from Harper's Ferry with the force which Jack- 
son had left behind, and every eye was turned anxiously in that 
direction. In a little while we saw some of his troops moving 
cautiously under cover of the Avoods and hUls to tlie front, and 
in an hour more he was in a position on the right. Here about 
four o'clock the enemy had made another bold demonstration. 
Fifteen thousand of their troops, in one mass, had charged our 
lines, and after vainly resisting them, we were slowly giving 
back before superior numbers. 

" Our total force here was less than six thousand men ; and 
had it not been for the admirably planted artillery, under com- 
mand of Major Gamett, nothing until the arrival of reiinforce- 
ments could have prevented an irretrievable defeat. The 2d 
and 20th Georgia have been especial subjects of comment, be- 
cause of the splendid manner in which they successively met 
and defeated seven regiments of the enemy, who advanced across 
a bridge, and were endeavoring to secure a position on this side 
of the river. Thoy fought until they were nearly cut to pieces, 
and then retreated only because they had fired tlicir last round. 
It was at this juncture that the immense Federal force crossed 
the river, and made the dash against our line which well-nigh 
proved a success. The timely arrival of General A. P. Hill, 
however, with fresh troops, entirely changed the fortunes of the 
day, and after an obstinate contest, which lasted from five o'clock 



SHAHPSBUEG, OK ANTIETAM. 337 

until dark, the enemy were driven into and across the river with 
great loss. During this fight the Federals had succeeded in 
flanking and capturing a battery, belonging, as I learn, to the 
brigade of General Toombs. Instantly dismounting from his 
horse, and placing himself at the head of his command, the 
General, in his effective way, briefly told them that the battery 
must be retaken if it cost the life of every man in his brigade, 
and then ordered them to follow him. Follow him they did into 
what seemed the very jaws of destruction ; and after a short but 
fierce struggle, they had the satisfaction of capturing the prize, 
and restoring it to the original possessors." 

The battle of Sharpsburg was perhaps as obstinately dis- 
puted as any during the entire war. The statements about to 
be laid before the reader will show that General McClellan's 
force was nearly three times greater than General Lee's, and 
there is no good reason to doubt that if the troops left on the 
Virginia side of the Potomac had been present opposite the 
bridge on the Antietam, and General McLaws had arrived in 
time upon the left. General McClellan would have been so much 
crippled as to have been forced to retreat upon Washington with 
the force which he had. Jackson drove General Hooker a mile 
after all the troops which General McClellan could spare were 
placed at Hooker's command on the right. With reenforcements 
it is probable that Jackson would have routed his adversary. 

As the day wore on it is said that General Burnside sent 
message after message for reenforcements. These could not be 
sent him ; and as the sun was sinking General McClellan is said 
to have despatched orders to General Burnside to hold his posi- 
tion, calling after the courier : 

" Tell him if he cannot hold his ground — then the bridge ! — 
to the last man ! — always the bridge ! If the bridge is lost, all 
is lost ! " 

The main body of General McClellan was thrown, as we 
have said, against the Confederate kft, where Jackson was sta- 
tioned, the design of the Federal commander being to force Gen- 
eral Lee back upon the river, and cut him to pieces before he 
22 



338 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

could cross. His views are briefly expressed in the following 
statement which he made upon his trial : 

" On the morning of the 16th a close examination of the 
ground was made, and preparations made for the attack. The 
plan decided upon was to attack their left. The corps of Gen- 
eral Hooker was thrown across the Antietam early in the fore- 
noon of that day (the 16th), gained possession of the opposite 
ridge without serious resistance, and then turned to its left, 
moving along the crest of the ridge, advancing steadily until dark, 
having encountered very sharp resistance during the latter part 
of its march. And during the evening the corps of Mansfield 
was thrown over to support Haoker. Early on the morning of the 
17th the corps of General Sumner was also pushed over the An- 
tietam, to support the troops already engaged. Franklin's corps 
arrived on the ground from Rohrersville in the course of the 
forenoon. The result of the day's fighting on our right was 
that we gained a considerable portion of ground held by the 
enemy the night before, after a very stubborn resistance on his 
part — the fortunes of the day varying several times, but finally 
resulting in our favor. It became necessary to throw Franklin's 
corps across the Antietam to support our right soon after it 
reached the field of battle. In the centre the effort was confined 
mainly to artillery practice. On the left Bumside crossed the 
river somewhere about noon, and, after severe fighting, gained 
possession of the height which was the object of his attack, but 
was finally obliged to yield it to the attack of a superior force, 
stiU holding a position on the further bank of the stream." 

In his report of the battle, General McClellan repeats his 
statement that his main assault was against the Confederate left, 
and his failure there decided all. The action is generally spoken 
of at the North as a complete Federal victory ; but this does not 
appear from General McClellan's statements on his trial, or from 
the established facts. " The next morning," said General 
McClellan, " I found that our loss had been so great, and there 
was so much disorganization in some of the commands, that I 
did not consider it proper to renew the attack that day." 



SHAKPSBUEG, OR ANTTETAM. 339 

This was on the 18th, and during the whole of that day 
General Lee remained, drawn up in line of battle, to resume the 
conflict if the enemy advanced. His army had suffered serious 
loss, however, especially in valuable officers ; reenforcements 
were constantly reaching the Federal commander ; and General 
Lee's communications with the southern bank of the Potomac 
were by a single road so narrow and rugged that it was almost 
impossible to supply the army with the commissary and ord- 
nance stores necessary to a further occupation of the ground on 
the northern bank. General Lee accordingly determined to re- 
cross the Potomac, to await at his leisure the additions to his 
force which were expected, and to subsist and ammunition his 
forces. 

This movement was accomplished on the night of the 18th 
without molestation, all the trains, artillery, and stores of every 
description having been sent on before. 

General Stuart brought up the rear with his cavalry ; the 
last pickets were withdrawn, and by the morning of the 19th 
General Lee had taken up a strong position on the southern 
bank of the Potomac, ready to meet the Federal forces if they 
attempted to cross. 

The conditions under which General Lee fought the battle 
of Sharpsburg were peculiar, and the disproportion of force 
great. An accurate statement of facts in reference to these 
points is necessary to a right understanding of the affair. It is 
easy to Avrite a partisan pamphlet and label it " history " — to . 
represent the defeated forces as " overwhelmed by numbers," 
and the enemy's loss " much larger," " very nearly double," or 
" frightful," without investigating the facts. Such a narrative 
may flatter partisan feelings, but it is not history. The proceed 
mg in question appears puerile to the present writer, who here 
as elsewhere has made an honest effort to arrive at the truth of 
history. 

It is not difficult to establish the statement, that at Sharps 
burg General Lee fought a force about three times greater thai 



340 LIFE OF STOXEWALL JACKSON. 

his o\vTi. When General McClellan was before the Committee 
of Investigation, to examine into the circumstances attending 
this action, he was asked, " What was your force at Antie- 
tam ? " to which he replied, " I think that before these two 
divisions I alluded to came up, our force was about 90,000 men — 
not far from tliat ; it may have been 93,000 or 94,000." When 
asked, " At what number did you estimate the force of the 
enemy?" his reply was, " I think our estimate at the time, and 
which was pretty well borne out by what occurred, was, that we 
fought pretty close upon 100,000 men." 

In his " Report of the Operations of the Army of the Poto- 
mac," General McClellan is more explicit, and says : " Our forces 
at the battle of Antietam were as follows : 

Number of Men. 

First Corps, 14,856 

Second Corps, 18,813 

Fifth Corps (one division not arrived), . . . 12,930 

Sixth Corps, 12,300 

Ninth Corps, . . . . . . . . 13,819 

Twelfth Corps, 10,126 

Cavalry Division, 4,320 

Total in action, 87,164 

General Lee's force he then estimated, from the reports of 
" prisoners, deserters, spies, etc.," at 97,445 men ; and this he 
declares " gives the actual number of men present and fit for 
duty " in General Lee's army. 

It will no doubt surprise General McClellan when he ascer- 
tains the fact that General Lee had at Sharpsburg, all told, only 
33,000 troops, and that the brunt of the fight was sustained by 
about 25,000, the others not having then come up. This fact 
was long ago known to the present writer, from General Lee's 
statement to General Stuart, that his force at Sharpsburg " did 
not exceed in all 35,000 ; " but General Lee's oflicial report has 
since been published, and the exact numbers are given — 33,000. 
The explanation of this paucity of numbers will be found in the 



SHAKPSBUEG, OE ANTIETAM. 34:1 

bad equipment of the Southern forces, the very defective com- 
missariat, and the exhausting character of the movements which 
preceded the battle. In about three weeks the Southern army 
had marched from the Rapidan via Manassas and Frederick 
City to Sharpsburg. During this time they were almost wholly 
without rations, and so badly clad that they excited the pity and 
astonishment even of their enemies, who spoke of them as 
" ragged, hungry, and in all ways miserable." They had fought 
almost daily battles, and lost heavily ; thousands had lagged be- 
hind from pure inability to proceed ; and this was the explana- 
tion of General Lee's small number. Between the Rapidan and 
the Potomac it has been estimated that more than 20,000 gave 
out on the march, or were killed or disabled in battle. All the 
roads of Northern Virginia were lined with soldiers compre- 
hensively denominated " stragglers ; " but the great majority of 
these men had fallen out of the advancing column from physical 
inability to keep up with it. Only a small portion, we believe, 
were " skulkers," for the troops were greatly elated at the idea 
of transferring hostilities to Pennsylvania ; thousands were not 
with General Lee because they had no shoes, and their bleeding 
feet would carry them no further ; or the heavy march without 
rations had broken them down. This great crowd toiled on pain- 
fully in the wake of the army, dragging themselves five or six 
miles a day ; and when they came to the Potomac, near Lees- 
burg, it was only to find that General Lee had swept on, that 
General McClellan's column was between them and him, and 
that they could not rejoin their commands. The citizens of that 
whole region, who fed these unfortunate persons, will bear testi- 
mony that numbers sufficient to constitute an army in themselves, 
passed the Blue Ridge to rendezvous, by General Lee's orders, 
at Winchester. These 20,000 or 30,000 men were not in tlie 
battle. Longstreet's corps of 26,000 men had dwindled to 
13,000, just one-half. Jackson's was not quite so bad, but was 
greatly reduced. Nor was the bulk of the latter corps present 
until after four p. m., toward the end of the action. General 
Lee fought until late in the day, with Longstreet, D. H. Hill, 



342 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

Ewell, and two other divisions, a force of about 25,000 men. 
The reenforcements from McLaws, Anderson, and Hill increased 
this number to 33,000, with which force General Lee met the 
87,164 men reported by General McClellan as "in action" ou 
the Federal side. Sharpsburg may fairly be called a dra\\'n battle, 
and this result was highly honorable to the Southern arms. 

In the movements which preceded the battle, General Mc- 
Clellan had again exhibited that skill and soldiership which 
saved the Federal army on the Chickahominy. He had promptly 
organized, from the remnants of General Pope's defeated battal- 
ions, and the new levies hurried forward, an army ready to take 
the field ; and nothing but his great personal popularity and the 
confidence reposed in his military judgment by the troops, could 
have achieved a result so important. With this force he had 
advanced from Washington, and throughout the march his move- 
ments had been bold and judicious. His objects were to relieve 
Harper's Ferry and arrest Lee's advance. With these ends ia 
view he pushed Franklin's corps toward Crampton's Gap, on 
the straight road to Harper's Ferry, and moved with his main 
body toward Ilagerstown, which the head of Lee's column had 
reached. 

But for the rapidity of Jackson's march, and the energy of 
his attack upon General Miles, McClellan would have succeeded 
in his attempt to save the garrison. On the night of the 14th 
he had concentrated at South Mountain an overwhelming force, 
and on the 15th would have swooped down on Harper's Ferry. 
But on that fatal 15th the place suiTcndered, and so much of the 
P^ederal general's programme was defeated. The other half, 
however, was successful. Lee's further advance was checked ; 
his forces were moved back and concentrated at Sharpsburg ; 
and as the sun went down on the evening of the 16th of Septem- 
ber, his great army confronted Lee on the eastern bank of the 
Antictam. What followed is known. 



SHEPHEKD8T0WN. 343 

CHAPTER XXI. 

SHEPHE RD ST O WN. 

The roll of great events was now exhausted, but another 
bloody encounter was to take place near the spot where Ashby 
had long before drawn rein, and sat on his white horse unmoved 
amid the Federal bullets. 

General McClellan had no sooner received intelligence of the 
retreat of his adversary, than he pushed a strong column toward 
the Potomac in pursuit of him. Heavy batteries were promptly 
disposed along the high ground on the north bank of the river 
opposite Shepherdstown, and a determined fire was opened on 
the Confederate troops drawn up upon the southern shore. To 
this fire, General Pendleton, chief of artUlery of the army, re- 
plied with vigor, and the Stuart Horse Artillery, under Major 
John Pelham, was especially active in engaging the enemy's 
batteries. 

In the evening the fire of the Federal artillery was redoubled, 
and under the protection of the guns. General McClellan com- 
menced crossing a column, driving off General Pendleton and 
Lawton's brigades, which acted as a support to the guns. By 
the morning of the 20th a considerable body had crossed to the 
southern bank, and Generals A. P. Hill and Early, who had 
moved with the rest of Jackson's corps toward Martinsburg, 
were directed to return and drive the enemy back. 

These orders were promptly obeyed, and the troops were 
soon at the point of danger. General HUl, who commanded, 
drew up his force in two Hues — the first composed of Pender's, 
Gregg's, and Thomas' brigades, under command of General 
Gregg ; the second, of Lane's, Archer's, and Brockenbrough's 
brigades, under General Archer. General Early, with his own 
brigade and those of Trimble and Hays, took position in the 
woods on the right and left of the road leading to the ford. 



344 LIFE OF STONEWALL JAC^ISON. 

The Federal infantry was drawn up on the high banks of the 
southern shore, and every point upon the Maryland side of the 
river was crowned with their batteries, ready to open upon the 
Confederate line as soon as it advanced. As General Hill 
moved forward to the attack, the Federal artillery commenced a 
rapid fire of shot and shell upon his advancing column, but no no- 
tice of this was taken by the troops. They pressed forward, and 
Pender found himself in front of the main Federal force which 
Avas massed to attack him. As he charged, they poured a volley 
into his line, and then rapidly extended with the view of turning 
his left. Archer promptly threw his brigade in that direction, 
and formed on Pender's left, when, advancing his whole line, 
HiU made an impetuous charge, and drove the Federal line 
before him, from the hill, down the bank, and into the river, 
where many were drowned in attempting to cross. 

" With no stop or hesitation," says an eye-witness, " using 
no artillery, sending his men in steadily. General A. P. Hill 
drove the enemy into and across the river, taking 300 prisoners, 
and making the river blue with the dead." 

Two hundred prisoners were taken in this affair, which 
seems to .have discouraged the Federal commander from any 
further attempts to cross the river. The position on the bank 
was held by Hill throughout the day until relieved by Fitz Lee's 
cavalry, General Stuart having gone with the rest of his com- 
mand to make an important demonstration above, in the vicinity 
of WiUiamsport, where he met and repulsed the enemy in a brief 
but spirited engagement. 

On the same evening Jackson moved from Shepherdstown, 
and encamped on the Opequon, from which point, on the 27th, 
he moved back to Bunker's Hill, on the Martinsburg and Win- 
chester turnpike, where, in July, 1861, he had in the same 
manner awaited the approach of General Patterson. 

At Harper's Ferry, Sharpsburg, and Shepherdstown, he had 
lost 38 officers killed and 171 wounded, 313 non-commissioned 
officers and privates killed, 1,859 wounded, and 57 missing ; 
making a total loss of 2,438 killed, wounded, and missing. 



THE CAMPAIGN. 345 

" For these great and signal victories," he says in terminat- 
ing his report, " our sincere and humble thanks are due unto 
Almighty God. Upon all appropriate occasions we should 
acknowledge the hand of Him who reigns in Heaven, and rules 
among the powers of the earth. In view of the arduous labors, 
and great privations which the troops were called on to endure 
and the isolated and perilous position which the command occu- 
pied while engaged with the greatly superior force of the enemy, 
we feel the encouraging consolation that God was with us and 
gave to us the victory, and unto His holy name be all gratitude 
and praise." 



CHAPTER XXn. 



THE CAMPAIGN. 



The campaign of 1862 had virtually ended, and General 
Lee's army was again upon the soil of Virginia. 

From James River to the Potomac, the path of the Southern- 
ers had been strewed all over with battles. Defeating the Fed- 
eral forces in the bloody conflicts of the Chickahominy, they had 
achieved an important success over the army of General Pope 
at Cedar Run ; and then advancing without pause, had driven 
that commander from Culpepper, flanked him beyond the Rap- 
pahannock, and after destroying his enormous depot of stores, 
engaged him on the old battle field of Manassas, and in an 
obstinate and bloody battle completely defeated him. At 
Oxhill, the rout of the Federal forces on the soil of Virginia 
became final, and the army had pushed on without resting, and 
invaded Maryland. Here it had been engaged in bloody en- 
counters at Boonsboro' and Crampton's Gap ; had captured 
Plarper's Ferry, with 11,000 prisoners and 73 pieces of artillery, 
and had sustained at Sharpsburg the assault of 87,000 troops 
under a commander of acknowledged ability, ofiering him battle 



346 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

on the succeeding day, and only crossing back into Virginia for 
want of food and ammunition. When the enemy pursued, they 
had been completely defeated in a brief but bloody engagement, 
and, drawn up on the southern bank of the Potomac, the army 
stiU bade defiance to its adversaries. 

Of the men who performed these arduous labors, and were 
successful upon so many fields against odds so great, it has 
been truthfully said that " one-fifth of them were barefooted, 
one-half of them in rags, and the whole of them half famished." 
"We have seen that even their adversaries regarded them with 
mingled admiration and pity, characterizing them as "those 
ragged wretches, sick, hungry, and in all way miserable," and 
wondering how they could " prove such heroes." From Federal 
sources came the acknowledgment that " men never fought 
better," and it was evidently a subject of great astonishment 
with the enemy how troops so badly clothed and fed, with such 
gaunt frames and bleeding feet, could have the heart to contend 
against superior numbers, thoroughly equipped, with a courage 
so unfaultering and admirable. 

A Southern writer, once an humble unit of this historic 
army, may be pardoned this reference to its superb efficiency 
and those laurels which " time cannot wither." It did not win 
those laurels without sweating blood in the efibrt, nor triumph 
over " slaves and cowards." The Northern troops fought at the 
second Manassas, and at Sharpsburg, with a gallantry which ex- 
torted the admiration of their adversaries, and they were led by 
generals of the coolest courage and the highest ability. They 
were not a foe to be despised, nor did either side despise the 
other in that hard struggle. When General Lee surrendered, it 
was the preachers and other non-combatants, not the northern 
troops, who wanted every Southern soldier hanged or shot for 
treason. 

The toils, hardships, and glories of the army of Northern 
Virginia must be left to the historian of the future. But there 
is a tribunal which is almost as impartial as the aftertime. It 
has been said with truth that the voice of the stranjrer is like 



GENERAL LEe's ADDEESS TO HIS AKMY. 347 

that of posterity, and a paragraph upon this army is here inserted 
from the leading journal of England. 

" The people of the Confederate States," says the " London 
Times," " have made themselves famous. If the renowm of 
brilliant courage, stern devotion to a cause, and military achieve- 
ments almost without a parallel, can compensate men for the toil 
and privations of the hour, then the countrymen of Lee and 
Jackson may be consoled amid their sufferings. From all parts 
of Europe, from their enemies as well as their friends, from those 
who condemn their acts as well as those who sympathize with 
them, comes the tribute of admiration. When the history of this 
war is written, the admiration will doubtless become deeper and 
stronger, for the veil which has covered the South will be drawn 
away and disclose a picture of patriotism, of unanimous self- 
sacrifice, of wise and firm administration, which we can now only 
see indistinctly. The details of extraordinary national effort 
which has led to the repulse and almost to the destruction of ari 
invading force of more than half a million of men, wUl then be- 
come known to the world ; and, whatever may be the fate of the 
new nationality, or its subsequent claims to the respect of man- 
kind, it will assuredly begin its career with a reputation for 
genius and valor which the most famous nations may envy." 



CHAPTER XXni. 

GENERAL LEE's ADDRESS TO HIS ARMY. 

The Maryland campaign had ended in one of those retreats 
which ruin an opponent. General Lee had entered the Federal 
territory, and at one blow captured 11,000 prisoners, 13,000 
small-arms, and 73 pieces of artillery ; had repulsed a force 
about three times greater than his own, under the ablest of their 
Generals, in a pitched battle of incredible fury ; and then, deter- 
mining of his own motion to retire, had done so, after offering 



34:8 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

them battle for twenty-four hours — leaving nothing in their 
hands, and driving them with heavy loss across the Potomac 
again when they attempted to harass his rear. 

Such a retreat, after such successes, was a victory ; and there 
were many persons at the North even candid enough to concede 
the fact. " He leaves us," growled the New York " Tribune," 
" the debris' o£ his late camps, two disabled pieces of artillery, a 
few hundred of his stragglers, perhaps two thousand of his 
wounded, and as many more of his unburied dead. Not a 
sound field-piece, caisson, ambulance, or wagon ; not a tent, box 
of stores, or a pound of ammunition. He takes with him the 
supplies gathered in Maryland, and the rich spoils of Harper's 
Ferry." 

General Lee's addi'ess to his army upon their return to Vir- 
ginia will appropriately conclude our account of the great cam- 
paign to which he refers : 

General Orders No, 116. 
Headquaeters Aemt Noethern Virginia, October 2d, 1862. 

In reviewing the achievements of the army during the present campaign, 
the Commanding General cannot withhold the expression of his admiration of 
the indomitable courage it has displayed in battle, and its cheerful endurance 
of privation and hardship on the march. 

Since your great victories around Eichmond you have defeated the enemy 
at Cedar Mountain, expelled him from the Rappahannock, and, after a conflict 
of three days, utterly repulsed him on the plains of Manassas, and forced him 
to take shelter within the fortifications around his capital. 

Without halting for repose you crossed the Potomac, stormed the heights 
of Harper's Ferry, made prisoners of more than 11,000 men, and captured up- 
wards of seventy pieces of artillery, all their small-arms, and other munitions 
of war. 

While one corps of the army was thus engaged, the other insured its 
success by arresting at Boonsboro' the combined armies of the enemy, advanc- 
ing under their favorite General to the reUef of their beleaguered comrades. 

On the field of Sharpsburg, with less than one-third his numbers, you re- 
sisted, from daylight until dark, the whole army of the enemy, and repulsed 
every attack along his entire front, of more than four miles in extent. 

The whole of the following day you stood prepared to resume the conflict 
on the same ground, and retired next morning, without molestation, across the 
Potomac. 



JACKSON AND HIS VETEEANS KESTING. 349 

Two' attempts, subsequently made by the enemy, to follow you across the 
river, hare resulted in his complete discomfiture, and being driven back with 
loss. 

Achievements such as these demanded much valor and patriotism. His- 
tory records few examples of greater fortitude and endurance than this army 
has exhibited ; and I am commissioned by the President to thank you in the 
name of the Confederate States for the undying fame you have won for their 
arms. 

Much as you have done, much more remains to be accomplished. The 
enemy again threatens us with invasion, and to your tried valor and patriotism 
the country looks with confidence for deliverance and safety. Your past ex- 
ploits give assurance that this confidence is not misplaced. 

R. E. LEE, General Commanding. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

JACKSON AND HIS VETERANS BESTING. 

Jackson's corps passed the beautiful month, of October in the 
picturesque Valley of the Shenandoah — that region which their 
leader had already made so famous. 

. There, in the bright October days, the army rested and re- 
covered its strength and spirits. The bracing mountain breeze, 
the beautiful skies, the liberty to engage in every species of fun 
and frolic, within the limits of military discipline, seemed to 
pour new life-blood into the frames of the men, exhausted and 
worn down by the immense marches which they had made from 
Cedar Run to Sharpsburg, and the toils, privations, hardships, 
and excitements which they had undergone. 

That region must have aroused many memories in the hearts 
of Jackson's men — especially in the members of the " Old Stone- 
wall Brigade," which had fought the enemy all along from Fall- 
ing Waters to the sources of the Shenandoah. They had encoun- 
tered General Patterson in one of the earliest engagements of the 
war near Martinsburg, but a few miles distant ; on the road by 
the side of which they were now encamped, they had retreated 



350 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

before the columns of the same General ; and along that road 
they had pressed after General Banks when, routed at Winches- 
ter, he had hastened to recross the Potomac. Since those old 
days they had fought at Cross Keys, Port Republic, Cold Har- 
bor, Malvern Hill, Cedar Run, Bristoe, Manassas, Oxhill, Har- 
per's Ferry, Sharpsburg, Shepherdstown, and Kearneysville. 
Comrade after comrade had lain dovm to die upon those bloody 
fields — face after face had " gone into the darkness," amid the 
war- smoke hovering above the swamps of the lowland, the pines 
of Manassas, the Valley of the Antietam. They were still alive, 
and after all their wanderings had returned to the land where 
they first learned the art of war under their now illustrious chief 
— returned to it, too, at a season when the face of Nature is glo- 
rious with that beauty which seems to reach perfection just when 
it is passing — when the fields and forest, with their tints of gold, 
and red, and yellow, are more lovely than the dreams of poets. 
Here, in the fine and beautiful Valley of the Shenandoah, on the 
banks of the Opequon, which murmurs under its tall trees, as it 
lapses gently toward the Potomac, the weary soldiers of the 
Stonewall Corps found rest and refreshment ; and the bracing 
air, as we have said, made them boys again, filling every pulse 
with health and joy. The jest, the practical joke, the ready 
laugh passed round ; and for a time the whole army of Northern 
Virginia was in extravagant spirits, cheering upon the least prov- 
ocation like a party of boys, and permitting no occasion for 
indulging in laughter to escape them. "We have a letter written 
by one of the corps about this time, which conveys a very accu- 
rate idea of the manner in which Jackson's men amused them- 
selves ; and its careless style and homely details may serve to 
interest the stay-at-home reader who is not familiar with tlie 
'' goings on " of an army. Here it is : 

" ' Cock-a-doodle-doo-oo ! ' sounded the ' shrill clarion ' of a 
neighboring henroost before day this morning ; a wakeful soldier 
caught up the strain, and he and a hundred others forthwith re- 
peated bogus cock-a-doodle-doos, until they had effectually ' mur- 
dered sleep' throughout the entire regiment. To pass the time 



JACKSON AND HIS TETEEANS BESTING. 351 

until breakfast (!) — *. e., till some 'solid-shot biscuit' and 
leather steaks of lean kine be cooked — I will ' retaliate' on you 
and your readers. 

" The campaign having apparently ended, there are no ' mov- 
ing accidents by flood or field ' of interest, and therefore nothing 
left to record but the routine of daily camp life ; this shall be 
true to history, however, to let the old folks at home know how 
we live 'sure enough' while here. At this particular season, 
though, it is particularly dull — 

' No mail, no post, 
No news from any foreign coast ; 
No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease. 

No comfortable feel in any member, 
No shade, no sunshine, no butterflies, no bees, 
November ! ' 

" Our camps not being regulated by military rule, for want of 
material in tents, etc., are left to illustrate the variegated, archi- 
tectural, and domestic tastes of the thousand different individuals 
concerned. Hence, although a wall tent or Sibley graces an 
occasional locality, the most of the men ensconce themselves in 
bush-built shelters of various shapes, in fence-corners, under 
gum-blankets, eked out by cedar boughs, or burrow semi-subter- 
raneously like Esquimaux. If, as is said, the several styles of 
architecture took their origin from natural circumstances and 
climate, etc., as the curving Oriental roofs from the long reeds 
originally in use — the slanting Egyptians from the necessity of 
baking their uuburnt bricks in the hot sun — the Corinthian 
from its OAvn flowery clime, etc., etc. — an architectural genius 
might find enough original designs in this camp to supply a cen- 
tury to come. 

" The only ' useful occupation' of this brigade for some time 
past has been to destroy aU the railroads in I'each ; apparently, 
too, for no better reason than the fellow had for killing the 
splendid anaconda in the museum, because it was his ' rule to 
kill snakes wherever found.' A soldier just said, ' Old Jack in- 
tends us to tear up all the railroads in the State, and with no 



352 LITE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

tools but our pocket-knives.' They have so far destroyed the 
Baltimore and Ohio, from Hedgesville to near Harper's Ferry, 
the Winchester and Potomac almost entirely, and now the Ma- 
nassas Gap from Piedmont to Strasburg. 

" It is when idle in camp that the soldier is a great institu- 
tion, yet one that must be seen to be appreciated. Pen cannot 
fully paint the air of cheerful content, care-hilarity, irresponsible 
loungings, and practical spirit of jesting that ' obtains' ready to 
seize on any odd circumstance in its licensed levity. A ' caval- 
ryman ' comes rejoicing in immense top-boots, for which in fond 
pride he had invested full forty dollars of pay ; at once the cry 
from a hundred voices follows him along the line : ' Come up 
out o' them boots ! — come out ! — too soon to go into winter quar- 
ters ! I know you're in thar ! — see your arms stickin' out ! ' A 
bumpkin rides by in an uncommonly big hat, and is frightened at 
the shout : ' Come down out o' that hat ! Come down ! 'Taint 
no use to say you ain't up there ; I see your legs hanging out ! ' 
A fancy staff officer was horrified at the irreverent reception of 
his nicely-twisted mustache, as he heard from behind innumer- 
able trees : ' Take them mice out o' your mouth ! — take 'em 
out ! — ^no use to say they ain't thar ; see their tails hanging out ! ' 
Another, sporting immense whiskers, was urged to ' come out 
of that bunch of bar ! I know you're in thar ; I see your ears 
a working ! ' Sometimes a rousing cheer is heard in the dis- 
tance — it is explained : ' Boys, look out ! — ^here comes " Old Stone- 
wall" or an old hare, one or t'other' — they being about the only 
individuals who invariably bring down the house. 

" But the whole day of camp life is not yet described ; the 
night remains, and latterly it is no unusual scene, as the gloam- 
ing gathers, to see a group quietly collect beneath the dusky 
shadows of the forest trees — ' God's first temples' — whence soon 
arise the notes of some famUiar hymn, awaking memories of 
childhood and of home. The youthful chaplain in earnest tones 
tells his holy mission ; another hymn is heard, and by the wan- 
ing light of the pine torches the weird-like figures of the grouped 
soldiers are seen reverently moving to the night's repose. The 



JACKSON AND HIS VETEEANS RESTING. 353 

deep bass drum beats taps — tbe sounds die out in all the camps, 
save at times the sweet strains from the band of the 5th Stone- 
wall regiment in a neighboring grove, till they too fade away 
into the stilly night, and soon — 

' The soldiers lie peacefully dreaming, 



Their tents in the rays of the clear autumn moon, 
Or the light of the watch-fires are gleaming ; 

A tremulous sigh as the gentle night wind 
Through the forest leaves slowly is creeping, 

While the stars up above with their glittering eyes 
Keep guard, for the army is sleeping.' " 

During these days Jackson had his headquarters near 
Bunker's Hill, and was often seen moving to and fro among his 
troops on his old sorrel horse, with the old uniform. He was 
always greeted with cheers by his men, and the phi'ase, " Jack- 
son or a rabbit," became universal in alluding to these gay 
sounds heard in the distance. A hundred anecdotes were told, a 
hundred witticisms attributed to him. 

In Martinsburg, where the ladies crowded around him, he 
said : " Ladies, this is the first time I was ever surrounded ; " in 
spite of "which, says a letter-writer, " they cut every button off 
his coat, commenced on his pants, and at one time threatened to 
leave him in the uniform of a Georgia colonel — shirt-collar and 
spurs." 

After Sharpsburg, an old and hardened offender in D. H. 
Hill's division was brought before that commander for burning 
fence-rails ; and despairing of producing any reform in him, Gen- 
eral Hill sent him to Jackson, who asked him why he persisted 
in burning rails. 

"Well, General," returned the reprobate, "you see I've 
been enlisted eight months now in General Hill's division, and 
in all that time I never could get a good look at you^ so I 
thought I would steal some fence-rails ; I knew they would take 
me tip and then send me to you, so I would see you." 

A grim smUe greeted this impudent excuse, and reading his 
man at a glance, Jackson turned to an orderly and said : 
23 



354 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

" Take lliis man and buck him, and set liim on the top of 
that empty barrel in front of ray tent. The front is open, and 
he can look at me as much as he likes." 

The order was obeyed to the letter, and for several hours, 
while Jackson was engaged upon his official correspondence, 
the rail-destroyer had an excellent opportunity of gratifying his 
curiosity. 

This and the incident related by Colonel Ford at Harper's 
Ferry, with a hundred other anecdotes, true or imaginary, were 
repeated by the men, and " Old Jack," a name by Avhich the 
General had become universally known among his troops, be- 
came immensely popular. We have already set forth the more 
solid grounds of popularity with the best men of his command, 
but these anecdotes made him a prime favorite with the mass 
of the troops. Certain it is that Jackson was never more popu- 
lar than after the Maryland campaign ; and this doubtless arose, 
in veiy great measure, from the huge satisfaction which his 
corps experienced in having secured the really solid results of 
the movement, in the capture of Harper's Ferry, with the great 
number of prisoners, small-arms, and pieces of artillery. 

The writer of these pages scanned cm-iously in those days the 
appearance of the soldier, with whose praises the whole land 
was ringing. He wore his dingy old uniform, and cavahy 
boots, but the ladies of Martinsburg had robbed him not only of 
his buttons but his old cap. The individual in the tall black 
hat, with the brim turned down, quaker-wise all round, scarcely 
seemed to be the veritable Stonewall Jackson. But greater 
changes still Avere to ensue in his personal appearance. 
Prompted by admiration, regard, or the desire to clothe in 
more imposing garb the simple soldier, a distinguished officer, 
long united to him by the ties of affection and the recollection of 
many arduous toils in common, gave him a new coat, whose 
wreath and staff buttons appear in the engraving in front of this 
volume. It was suggested by one to whom the question was 
propounded whether Jackson would relish this present, that the 
soldier would undoubtedly appreciate such an evidence of regard, 



JACKSO:sr AJTD HIS YETEEANS EESTIKG. 355 

accept the coat and put it away carefully in his trunk, not dar- 
ing to wear it for fear of the indignation of his old brigade and 
their comrades. But this prediction was falsified ; Jackson was 
highly pleased AA'ith his coat, and he wore it on the hot day of 
Fredericksburg. 

He was an object at this time of great curiosity in the region ; 
and was warmly greeted by those who had known Colonel Jack- 
son of the days of Falling Waters, and regarded him as a son 
of the Valley. The ladies were far more enthusiastic about him 
than about the youngest and handsomest generals of the army ; 
and at the announcement that " General Jackson was coming," 
they would put on their finest silks, and pay as much attention 
to their toilets as if he had been the most imposing and gallant 
of Lovelaces, instead of a modest gentleman who preferred old 
ladies in black silk ; never knew what anybody wore, and 
blushed at the wishes expressed by young ladies to kiss him. 

Upon one occasion when Generals Lee, Jackson, Stuart, and 
Longstreet dined at a hospitable house on the Opeqiion, not far 
from LeetoTATi, the lady of the mansion declared that it was like 
the famous breakfast at the Castle of Tillietudlem, and that Gen- 
eral Lee's chair should be marked and remembered ; but it was 
said that General Jackson had been regaled with the choicest 
portion? of the banquet, and that for him she arrayed herself in 
her best silk and assumed her most winning smiles. 

It was at this period that Jackson disj^layed a trait of char- 
acter for T/hich few gave him credit. "When General Stuart 
made his raid into Maryland and Pennsylvania in October, Jack- 
son expressed the liveliest regret that he had not been able to 
accompany him, as a private and amateur cavalryman of the 
expedition. He betrayed on this occasion a longing for excite- 
ment and action which seemed foreign to the character of the 
]uou5 and collected soldier ; but nothing is more certain than 
that this love of active movement, danger, and adventui'e, was a 
prominent trait in his organization. 

But the days were hurrying on. General McClellan still 
threatened Lee's front, and as the month of October glided 



356 LITE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

away, carrying oft' tlie gorgeous trappings of the forest, and the 
brilliant sunshine of the autumn days, the Federal authorities 
were evidently preparing for another advance into Virginia. 

Jackson remained in the vicinity of Bunker Hill, ready to 
strike their advancing column if they attempted to move upon 
"Winchester ; and he and his veteran corps still rested, before en- 
tering upon other bloody scenes of conflict. 



CHAPTER XXV. 

GENEEAL McCLELLAN ADVANCES. 

The aim of this volume is to present an outline of the events 
of Jackson's life ; and the narrative is thus confined to the field 
of operations in Virginia. The crowding incidents of the war 
in other portions of the country are no part of our subject ; and 
in like manner all discussions of political occurrences may 
with propriety be omitted. The historian of the future will 
sum up and make his comments on the whole struggle ; our part 
is to follow the steps of Jackson. 

We thus pass over the campaigns of the "West, and those 
political movements, at both capitals, which marked the autumn 
of 1862. Our attention will continue to be directed to the 
movements of the two great adversaries who confronted each 
other on the banks of the Potomac. 

Both armies were resting after the exhausting campaign ter- 
minating on the field of Sharpsburg. But the bright days of 
October were not suffered to glide away without attempts on the 
part of each commander to beat up the quarters of his opponent. 
This policy was inaugurated by Major-General J. E. B. Stuart, 
in one of those raids which had so greatly annoyed the enemy 
on the Chickahominy, at Catlett's, and elsewhere. At day- 
light on the morning of the 10th of October, General Stuart, 
with 1,800 men and four pieces of horse artillery, crossed 



I 



GENEEAL MoCLELLAN ADVANCES. 357 

the Potomac between Williamsport and Hancock ; proceeded by 
a rapid march to Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, which he reached 
at dark on the same day ; captured the place ; destroyed the 
machine shops and railroad buildings, containing large numbers 
of arms and other public stores ; and on the next morning 
marched toward Frederick City. The character of the country 
above made it dangerous to attempt the recrossing of the Po- 
tomac in that direction, and Stuart had taken the bold resolution 
of passing entirely around the Federal army, and ciitting his 
way through to and across the ford near Leesburg. This design 
was executed with great skill and nerve. Moving with the ut- 
most rapidity, he reached Hyattstown belo"\y Frederick at day- 
light on the moi'ning of the 12th, and pushing on toward Pooles- 
ville, found that the road in that direction was barred by Gen- 
eral Stoneman with about 5,000 troops, and that railroad trains 
were standing ready, with steam up, and loaded with infantry, 
to move instantly to the point where he attempted to cross. 
These formidable preparations, however, failed in their object. 
Turning short to the right, and thus leaving Poolesville to his 
left, Stuart continued to advance with rapidity toward the Po- 
tomac, and reaching a point opposite White's ford, opened on 
the enemy's infantry with his artillery, advanced his dismounted 
sharpshooters, and charging their cavalry, cut his way through 
and crossed the river, greeting their reserves as they rushed for- 
ward to harass his rear, with a discharge from the guns of Pel- 
ham from the southern bank. 

This dangerous expedition had thus been successfully ac- 
complished. General McClellan had made elaborate disposi- 
tions to intercept Stuart on his return, and says in his report : 
" After the orders "were given for covering all the fords upon the 
river, I did not think it possible for Stuart to recross, and I be- 
lieved that the destruction or capture of his entire force was 
perfectly certain ; but owing to the fact that my orders were not 
in all cases carried out as I expected, he effected his escape into 
Virginia without much loss." Stuart did not lose a man. 

Such was the excellent good fortune of the expedition, which 



358 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

in many ways was important. Several Imndred horses were 
brought safely out, and large amounts of stores destroyed, but 
these were the least important results of the expedition. The 
Federal cavaliy was for the time completely broken down ; large 
bodies of troops Avere detached from the Federal army to guard 
the various fords on the Potomac, and General McCIellan's ad- 
vance was long delayed by the necessity of leaving behind him 
a strong force to repel such raids in future. When he finally 
moved, a very considerable number of troops remained on the 
upper Potomac, to guard against another movement of the Con- 
federate cavalry into Pennsylvania. 

It was not long before the Federal forces in their turn made 
a reconnoissauce. A strong column of infantry and artillery 
was pushed from Shepherdstown toward Leetown ; but upon 
reaching the edge of the woods in that vicinity they halted, and 
on the same evening retreated rapidly, pursued by Stuart with 
cavalry and artillery to the Potomac. StiU another attempt was 
made to reconnoitre General Lee's position — this time with cav- 
alry. A large force crossed at Shepherdstown, and making a 
vigorous attack upon a small body of cavalry there, compelled 
it to return toward Martinsburg. Here General Stuart took 
command in person ; and though the horses were nearly ex- 
hausted and the men dispirited by the events of the morning, 
his attack upon the Federal cavalry was so vigorous that they 
w^ere driven back over the road by which they had advanced, 
and at nightfall had been forced to recross the Potomac* 

* The following is General Lee's report of ibis incident : 

IIeadquauters Aumt of NoRTnERX Virginia, | 
Camp on Washington's Run, Oct. 2, 18fi2. ) 

Oen.S. Cooper, Adjt. and Inspector General C. S. A., Richmond^ Va. 

GE^•I;uAX : The enemy's cavalry, under General Pleasanton, with six piccea 

of artillery, drove back our pickets yesterday, in front of Shepherdstown. 

The 9th Virginia cavalry, which was on picket, repulsed the enemy several 

times, by vigorous charges, disputing the ground step by step, back to the 

main body. By the time his artillery reached him. Colonel W. II. F. Lee, who 

was in command of the brigade, was obliged to place it on the west bank of 

the Opequon, on the flank of the enemy as he approached Martmsburg. 



GENERAL MoCLELLAN" ADVANCES, 359 

No further advance of the Federal forces took place until 
toward the end of tlie month. General McClellan then crossed 
a considerable force both at Shepherdstown and Harper's Ferry ; 
and driving in General Lee's advance force of cavalry, pushed 
his column, to Kearney sville. Here he was met by Stuart with 
cavalry, artillery, and the Stonewall Brigade ; but the force of 
the enemy proving too great, the troops were, after an obstinate 
encoimter, withdrawn toward the main body. On the next day 
General McClellan pushed on to Charlestown, where his head- 
quarters were established for a few hours. He theu returned to 
Harper's Ferry. 

All seemed ready now for the Federal advance, but General 
McClellan appears to have regarded the equipment of his forces 
as too incomplete to justify a forward movement. An elaborate 
correspondence took place upon this subject between himself and 
General Halleck, the Federal General-in-Chief at Washington, 
and the controversy finally assumed a tone of anger and bitter- 
ness. General McCleUan was greatly censured for not having 
cut General Lee to pieces on the day after the battle of Sharps- 
burg, before he could recross the Potomac ; and the Federal 
commander's delay in advancing now, was the subject of uncon- 
cealed displeasure on the part of General Halleck and the 
authorities at "Washington. 

This now took a definite official form. On the 6th of Octo- 

General Hampton's brigade had retired through Martinsburg, on the Tus- 
carora road, when General Stuart arrived and made dispositions to attack. 
Lee's brigade was advanced immediately, and Hampton's ordered forward. 
The enemy retired at the approach of Lee along the Shepherdstown road, and 
was driven across the Potomac by the cavalry, with a severe loss, and dark- 
ness alone prevented it from being a signal victory. His rear was overtaken 
and put to flight, our cavalry charging in gallant style under a severe fire of 
artillery, routing squadron after squadron, killing a number, wounding more, 
and capturing several. He was driven through Shepherdstown, and crossed 
the river after dark, in no case standing a hand to hand conflict, but relying 
upon his artillery and carbines at long range for protection, 

I regret to add that we lost one lieutenant and several privates. 
I am, most respectfully, your obedient servant, 

E, E, LEE, General Commanding, 



360 LITE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

ber General Halleck sent General McClellan the following 
order : 

" I am instructed to telegraph you as follows : The Presi- 
dent directs that you cross the Potomac, and give battle to the 
enemy or drive him South. Your army must move now, while 
the roads are good. If you cross the river between the enemy 
and Washington, and cover the latter by your operation, you can 
be reenforced with 30,000 men. If you move up the Valley of 
the Shenandoah, not more than 12,000 or 15,000 can be sent 
you. The President advises the interior line between Washing- 
ton and the enemy, but does not order it. * * * " 

To this peremptory order General McClellan replied by new 
complaints of deficient quartermaster stores — shoes, blankets, 
horses, etc. Without a thorough reequipment of the army, and 
thousands of fresh horses for the cavalry, it was physically im- 
possible for him, he declared, to make a forward movement. 

It is probable that General McClellan was also actuated by 
an intelligent acquaintance w'ith the character and resources of 
his adversary. He had been unable to gain a decisive success 
over General Lee at Sharpsburg, where about half the Con- 
federate army, exhausted by long marches, had confronted him ; 
and it was scarcely probable, he must have felt, that his success 
would now^ be more encouraging, when General Lee had filled 
up his ranks, and rested, provisioned, and ammunitioned his 
forces for another struggle. No one, perhaps, of all the Federal 
generals, estimated the military strength of the Southern army 
so justly as this officer ; and his desire, at this time, seems to 
have been, to delay his advance into Virginia uutil he found 
himself in command of a force so considerable and so thoroughly 
equipped as to render success certain. 

Wc have referred to the reconnoissances in force made to 
Charlestowu, and toward Bunker Hill. It is probable that Gen- 
eral McClellan had not then determined. by which of the two 
routes he would advance. He states in his Report that he pre- 
ferred the route cast of the Blue Eidge ; but feared that as soon 
as he crossed into Virginia, Lee would recross into Maryland, 



GENERAL MCCLELLAN ADVANCES, 361 

and again advance toward Pennsylvania. " I have since," he 
says, " been confirmed in the belief, that if I had crossed the 
'Potomac below Harper's Ferry in the early part of October, 
General Lee would have recrossed into Maryland." 

The mouth of November, however, was now rapidly approach- 
ing, with its heavy rains and inclement days, and the Federal 
commander was convinced that General Lee would not under- 
take again to pass the Potomac, and leave a swollen river in his 
rear. He therefore returned to his original plan — which was 
also President Lincoln's — and prepared to move by the Pied- 
mont route toward the Eappahannock. 

" The plan of campaign I adopted during this advance," he 
says, " was to move the army, well in hand, parallel to the Blue 
Ridge, taking "Warrenton as the point of direction for the main 
army ; seizing each pass on the Blue Ridge, by detachments, as 
we approached it, and guarding them after we had passed, as 
long as they would enable the enemy to trouble oar communi- 
cations with the Potomac. * * * "We depended upon Har- 
per's Ferry and Berlin for supplies, until the Manassas Gap 
Railway was reached ; when that occurred, the passes in our 
rear Avere to be abandoned, and the army massed, ready for 
action or movement in any direction. It was my intention, if 
upon reaching Ashby's, or any other pass, the enemy were in 
force between it and the Potomac, in the Valley of the Shenan- 
doah, to move into the VaUey and endeavor to gain their rear." 

Such was the plan which the Federal commander proceeded 
to carry into execution, in the last week of October, when his 
army crossed the Potomac into Virginia. 



362 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

CHAPTER XXVI. 

JACKSON HALTS. 

The Federal army began to cross the Potomac at Berlin ou 
the 2Gth of October, and General Lee promptly broke up Lis 
camp in front of "Winchester, and moved toward the lowland. 

Jackson brought up the rear, moving from his position on the 
Martinburg and Winchester turnpike near Bunker Hill, by 
Smithfield, Summit Point, and Berryville, to the vicinity of the 
little •\-illage of Millwood, opposite Ashby's Gap, where he 
halted and established his headquarters. This movement on the 
part of Jackson puzzled and somewhat delayed the^ enemy, 
through fear of an attack upon their flank. The remainder of 
the army meanwhile crossed into Culpepper. 

General Stuart had promptly put his cavalry in motion, and 
leaving a portion to report to General Jackson, crossed the Bine 
Ridge at Snicker's Gap, on the last day of October. From a 
spur of the mountain the wagon trains of the advancing enemy 
could be seen, stretching away for miles, and moving from the 
Potomac toward Middleburg. For several days General Stuart 
remained in front of the gaps of the Blue Ridge, protecting the 
flank of the army from that assault which we have seen was the 
design of General McClellan ; and the small force under the 
Confederate leader's command repeatedly met and defeated or 
held in check the Federal Cavahy — at Mountsvillc, Aldie, Union, 
and elsewhere. Finding that the Federal column was steadily 
moving toward the Rappahannock, General Stuart notified Gen- 
eral Jackson of his intention to move from in front of Ashby's 
Gap, and proceeded by way of Barbee's Cross Roads — where a 
portion of his command was hotly engaged with the Federal cav- 
alry — to the lines on tlie Rappahannock, in front of General Lee. 

Jackson remained in the Valley ; and again tlie -men of Long- 
street declared, with great enjojTucnt of their joke, that the ec- 



JACKSUX HALTS. 363 

centric commander of the 2d corps was " lost." Jackson had 
been "lost" after this fashion, however, before the battles of 
the Chickahominy, Cedar Run, the advance to Warrenton 
Springs, and the second Manassas. The army were well satis- 
fied to have him thus disappear — confident that he would man- 
age to make his way back to them, and " turn up " if any hard 
fighting was to be done. For the rest, it was not probable that 
an enemy could surprise him ia that valley region, every foot of 
which had been fought over by his men. 

Jackson was fully aware of the movements of the enemy, 
and no doubt divined General McClellan's intention to gain by a 
rapid march the banks of the Eappaliannock before General Lee 
could confront him, seize the gaps in the Blue Eidge, and, by 
thus holding all the great avenues of exit from the VaUey, divide 
the Confederate army, attack it in detail, and defeat it. The 
danger to which the Confederate commander was exposed was 
great ; but he seems to have felt entirely assured of his ability 
either to defeat or elude the enemy. 

General Stuart, who visited him at this time, near Millwood, 
to notify him of the intended withdrawal of the cavalry, found 
him reading his Bible in his tent, an occupation which he discon- 
tinued to describe his intended movements to foil Genei'al Mc- 
Clellan. The design of the Federal commander was evidently 
w^eU understood by him, and he stated to General Stuart that he 
intended to remain near Millwood for some time — convinced 
that the presence of his corps at that point would puzzle General 
McClellan and delay his advance, from apprehensions of a move- 
ment against the Federal rear. If General McClellan attacked 
him with equal or not greatly disproportioned forces, he would 
fight. If, however, the entire Federal army assailed him, he 
would fall back toward Strasburg, march around the Massinutton 
Mountain, and crossing at New Market and Luray, rejoin Gen- 
eral Lee. General Stuart described Jackson's demeanor on this 
occasion as exceedingly sweet and kindly ; but the two com- 
manders were great friends, and the visit doubtless pleased 
Jackson. 



3G4 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

An incident exhibiting Jackson's kindness of heart belongs 
to this period, and is here related in the words of the officer "who 
communicates it : 

"In November, 1862, while passing through Middletown, 
Va., General Jackson, with his staff — riding some two or three 
miles in front of his array, then on the march for Fredericks- 
burg — met a veryjold woman looking for her grandson who was 
somewhere in the army. As wc passed she hailed the General, 
saying : 

" ' Are you IMr. Jackson ? ' 

" Pie told her he was, and asked what she Avanted. 

" ' I want to see my grandson, George Martin — he belongs to 
your company. I've brought him these clothes and victuals.' 

" The General asked her what regiment her grandson was in, 
but she could not teU. She did not know what company he was 
in — the name of his captain — even whether he was a private or 
an officer. All she could tell was, that ' he was in Mr. Jackson's 
company.' 

" In her disappointment she cried : 

" ' Wliy, Mr. Jackson, don't you know little George Martin? 
— George Augustus Martin ? He's been with you in all your 
battles ; and they say,' she added, with tears streaming down 
her furrowed cheeks, ' that he fit as hard as the best of them.' 

" At this point some of the younger members of the staff 
laughed. The General turned around quickly with his brow 
contracted, his lips compressed, and his eyes flashing with anger. 
He looked as if he was trying to find the guilty one. Dis- 
mounting from his horse, and approaching the old woman, he, 
in the kindest manner and simplest words, explained why he did 
not know her grandson ; but gave her such simple and repeated 
directions as would enable her to find him." 



CHANGE OF COMMANDERS. 365 



CHAPTEE XXVII. 

CHANGE OF COMMANDERS. 

General McClellan, meanwhile, advanced toward the 
]?appahannock, and his various columns were concentrating at 
Warrenton, when, on the 7th of November, he was, without 
previous notice, relieved of his command. Such was the sudden 
termination of the active career of an officer who had proved 
himself the most formidable adversary of the South. 

The plans of General McClellan, when he was invested with 
the command of all the Federal armies, were comprehensive, 
and struck, to use his own phrase, "at the heart of the rebel- 
lion." He was not long continued, however, in the supreme 
command, and was sent with the Army of the Potomac to the 
Peninsula, where he was defeated, but by his excellent general- 
ship saved his army from surrender or desti'uction. Thence he 
was ordered to Washington, and his abilities seem to have been 
recognized, since, after the defeat of General Pope, he rose 
again, as by right, to the command of all the forces, and with no 
orders except " protect the capital " commenced offensive opera- 
tions against General Lee. The result was the battle of Sharps- 
burg, by which the advance of the Confederate commander upon 
Pennsylvania was checked, and his campaign defeated. To 
disappoint the plans of a soldier so eminent as General Lee is no 
small proof of ability in the commander who succeeds in so 
doing ; and the movements of General McClellan subsequent to 
the battle of Sharpsburg appear to hate been able and judicious. 
He moved as soon as he could into Virginia, and his plans 
seemed excellently devised, when he was suddenly decapitated. 

The explanation of this sudden withdrawal of confidence on 
the part of the Federal authorities must be sought for in the 
political histories of this period — it forms no part of our own 
subjecj- 



366 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

General McClellan was succeeded by General Ambrose E. 
Burnsidc, a commander of some reputation but moderate abili- 
ties, who is reported to have protested against Lis appointment 
to so great a command on the score of his inability to administer 
it. President Lincoln, however, insisted, and General Bumside 
assumed the direction of the army in its further operations. 
The result of affairs at Fredericksbiu'g subsequently occasioned 
an official investigation ; and from General Burnside's testimony 
before the committee, we are informed of his designs upon as- 
suming command of the Federal army. Finding that General 
Lee confronted him in tlie upper Kappahannock, and that the 
way was barred in that direction. General Bumside conceived 
the project of making a demonstration in front of Lee to engage 
his attention, and, whilst his adversary was thus amused, of 
moving his main body rapidly down to Fredericksburg, where 
he would cross and turn his adversary's flank. Lee would thus 
be forced to fall back for the protection of Richmond, and the 
Federal army Avould move rapidly in the same direction in pur- 
suit. 

This plan of operations at once commenced by a feint on the 
upper Rappahannock, but it did not deceive the Confederate 
commander. No sooner had General Burnside put his main 
column in motion toward Fredericksburg, than General Lee, 
who had remained in the vicinity of Culpepper Court-House 
watching his opponent, made a corresponding movement across 
the Rapidan. General IMcCleUan had moved rapidly southward 
only to find the army which he had left at Winchester facing 
him in front of Culpepper. General Burnside now no sooner 
appeared upon the hills of Stafibrd near Fredericksburg, than 
he discovered on the high ground opposite the gray lines of his 
adversary. 

The intended surprise had turned out a failure ; aud from 
the latter part of November when these movements took place, 
to the middle of December, the two armies remained in sight of 
each other, divided only by the Rappahannock. 

The large Federal camps were established in rear of the hills 



CHANGE OF COIVIMANDERS. 367 

opposite Fredericksburg, and their earthworks on this command- 
ing position were soon. mounted with heavy artillery intended to 
cover the crossing of their army. From " Chatham" and other 
residences overlooking the town, General Burnside and his 
officers constantly reconnoitred the Confederate position — ^the 
pickets dotting the banks of the river below, from above Fal- 
mouth to Deep Run. The riv^er was thus guarded from United 
States ford, near the confluence of the Rappahannock and Rapi- 
dan, to Port Royal, twenty-two miles below the place. 

The grouud around Fredericksburg, on the southern side of 
the river, was well adapted to the repulse of an attacking force. 
From a point just above the town and immediately upon the 
stream, commences a range of hills which, diverging from the 
river, sweep around to Hamilton's crossing on the Richmond 
and Fredericksburg Railroad about four miles below, and a mile 
or more from the river. The ground thus enclosed is an exten- 
sive plain, through which, and parallel to the stream, runs, the 
" River Road," a broad highway skirted with cedars, growing 
out of embankments, serving the purpose of fences. The ditches 
formed by throwing up these embankments furnished an im- 
promptu species of intrenchment which shielded the Federal 
troops in no small degree from the Southern fire. Through the 
plain described wanders a small stream known as Deep Run, 
with precipitate banks, completely sheltering troops, as the 
stream approaches the river. 

On the crest of hiUs here mentioned — extending from near 
Falmouth to the crossing, and thickly covered throughout nearly 
their whole extent by oaks, edged by pine thickets — the Confeder- 
ate commander had formed his line of battle. Longstreet's corps 
held the left, extending from the river to a point about midway 
the length of the range, and just beyond Deep Run. Jackson, 
who had remained in the Valley until about the 1st of December, 
when he rejoined General Lee, held the right of the line, occupy- 
ing the ground from Longstreet's right to Hamilton's crossing, 
where the range of hills descends into the plain. On the ex- 
treme right, in the extensive plain intersected by the '.' River 



368 LITE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

Road " and the " Old Riclimond Road," running from the cross- 
ing to the former, General Stuart Avas posted with his cavalry 
and horse artillery to protect Jackson's flank, which it was proba- 
ble the enemy would attempt to turn. The Massaponnax, a 
small stream with precipitate banks, formed the southern and 
eastern boundary of this plain, rendering any movement of the 
Federal forces beyond General Stuart's right impracticable. 

Such was the disposition of General Lee's forces to repulse 
the intended advance of the enemy. 



CHAPTER XXVin. 

FREDERICKSBUEG. 

General Burnsede had thus completely failed in his design 
of stealing a march upon his opponent, and it is on record that 
he was greatly opposed to attempting the passage of the river in 
the face of Lee. The Federal authorities, however, had set 
their hearts upon striking a heavy blow before the spring, and 
General Burnside reluctantly acquiesced in a project which did 
not receive the approval of his military judgment. 

Up to the 11th of December, no movement of any import- 
ance had taken place, though the enemy had made numerous 
attempts to produce the impression that they intended to cross 
below or above, not at Fredericksburg. Their troops were seen 
moving to and fro on the Stafford hills opposite, and the river 
bank was heavily picketed along the entire front. 

The Confederate Generals awaited the threatened movement 
with confidence, and a well-grounded belief that in spite of the 
numbers of the Federal army, and the presence of such able 
soldiers as Sumner, Franklin, Hooker, and others in command, 
of grand divisions, they would be able to repulse any attack. 

It would seem that the enemy were, on their side, equally 
confident. The dismissal of General McClellan had been very 



FEEDEKICKSBUKG. 369 

distasteful to the troops, but they were thoroughly disciplined, 
and ready to fight under any one ; and the Northern journals, 
extensively circulated among their camps, had sedulously instilled 
the conviction that the " On to Richmond " movement was now 
certain of success. 

The Confederate commander finally received reliable intelli- 
gence that the enemy had finished their preparations for crossing, 
and were putting their troops in motion. 

Before daylight on the morning of Thursday, December 11th, 
they commenced throwing two pontoons across at Fredericks- 
burg, one above, the other below the destroyed railroad bridge. 
While engaged in this attempt, and swarming upon the boats, a 
destructive fire was opened upon them from the southern bank 
of the river, where Brigadier-General Barksdale was posted 
with his Mississippians, and this fire was so hot, that it at first 
drove the enemy back. They quickly renewed the attempt, 
however, and pushed on the work, in spite of the hail-storm of 
bullets from Barksdale, whose troops fought with desperation. 
The heavy fog slowly lifted from the scene, and then commenced, 
and was kept up aU day, one of the most determined bombard- 
ments known in history. The enemy had planted more than a 
hundred pieces of artillery on the hills to the northern and en st- 
ern side of the town, and from an early hour in the forenoon, 
swept the streets with round shot, shell, and case shot — firing 
frequently a hundred guns a minute. The quick puiFs of 
smoke, touched in the centre with tongues of flame,' ran inces- 
santly along the lines of their batteries on the slopes, and as the 
smoke slowly drifted away, the bellowing roar came up in one 
continuous roll. The town was soon fired, and a dense cloud of 
smoke enveloped its roofs and steeples. The Avhite church 
spires still rose serenely aloft, defying shot or shell, though 
a portion of one of them was torn off". The smoke was succeeded 
by lurid flame, and the crimson mass brought to mind the pictures 
of Moscow bm'ning. 

This incessant fire of heavy artillery on the town was kept 
up from dayKght until dark. Barksdale's troops continued to 
24 



370 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

hold the place in spite of the terrible enfilading fire sweeping the 
streets with round shot, grape, and shell, so as to command every 
foot of gronnd in the town. Amid houses torn to pieces, and 
burning, crashing chimneys, and falling walls which buried men 
beneath them, the Mississippians maintained their position. 
When night descended, the flames of burning houses still lit up 
the landscape, and though the continuous roar of the batteries 
was hushed, a sullen gun at intervals resembled the hoarse 
growl of a wild animal who retires with reluctance from his prey. 

The result of this bombardment was cruel, and the scenes 
which followed it sufficient to excite the sensibilities of the most 
hard-hearted. Men, women, and children had been driven from 
the town ; and hundreds of ladies and children were seen Avan- 
dering homeless and without shelter over the frozen highway, 
with bare feet and thin clothing, knowing not where to find a 
place of refuge. Delicately nurtured girls, upon whose frail 
forms no rain had ever beat, and whom no wind had visited too 
roughly, Avalked hurriedly, with unsteady feet, over the various 
roads, seeking some friendly roof to cover them. "Whole families 
sought sheds by the wayside, or made temporary shelters of fence- 
rails and straw, knowing not whither to fly. Such were the cruel 
results of the cannonade. Night had settled down ; the shat- 
tered houses were visible only when the flames of the burning 
buildings soared up suddenly as they caught some new object ; 
and the enemy held the place. Barksdale had fallen back, 
fighting from street to street until he reached the suburbs, where, 
posting his troops behind a stone wall, he held his ground, and 
no further attack was made on him. 

When the morning of Friday the 12th dawned, tlie enemy 
had thrown across additional pontoons, and their army was 
nearly over. As yet they had not been saluted by a single shot 
from the Confederate artillery ; and they no doubt felicitated 
themselves, in a very high degree, upon this circumstance. 
Thus Friday ended — the night passed — the great day arrived. 

General Lee had disposed his forces in the manner already in- 
dicated. Longstreet's corps was posted on the loft, with strong 



FEEDERICK8BUEG. 371 

batteries along the hills by Maiye's house. Jackson held the 
right, with General A. P. Hill in front and near Hamilton's 
crossing ; General Taliaferro, commanding Jackson's old division, 
in his rear ; and General D. H. Hill, behind the crest of hills, in 
reserve. On the slope of the hill, just where it descends tow- 
ard the crossing, Colonel Lindsay "Walker was posted, with 
Pegi-am's, Mcintosh's, and sections of Crenshaw's, Latham's, 
and Johnson's batteries — 14 guns. On the left of the line, near 
the Bernard cabins. Captain Davidson was stationed, with 
Rains', Caskie's, Braxton's, and Davidson's batteries — 21 guns. 
To the right, and two hundred yards in advance of these. Cap- 
tain Brockenbrough commanded Carpenter's, "Wooding's, and 
Braxton's batteries — 12 guns. On Jackson's left was the right 
of General Longstreet, under Hood ; and this was just at the 
centre of the Avhole line. On the extreme right, as we have 
said, beyond Hamilton's crossing, in the extensive plain, diversi- 
fied by woods. General Stuart had drawn up his cavalry and 
horse artillery, ready to assist in repulsing the attack upon what 
was felt to be the weakest portion of the line. 

Soon after daybreak on the 13th the troops were aU in po- 
sition, and General Lee rode along the lines, accompanied by 
General Jackson, to inspect in person the disposition of the 
forces. On the old " Richmond road," leading from the crossing 
to the Bowling Green or river road. General Stuart joined 
them, and they proceeded to the outer picket lines, close on the 
enemy. The movement had ah'eady begun, and the Federal 
forces were seen advancing across the bottom directly upon Gen- 
eral Jackson's position. By du-ection of General Stuart, Major 
John Pelham, of the Stuart Horse Artillery, immediately brought 
up a Napoleon gun, and opened on their left flank ; three bat- 
teries replied, and for many hours this one gun fought them all 
with unyielding fii'mness. Major Pelham and Captain Henry, 
who both superintended the working of the piece, were publicly 
complimented, and their obstinate stand, in an important position, 
unquestionably had a most valuable part in demoralizing the 
Federal forces. 



372 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

Soon after daylight the enemy began to feel General Lee's 
position from left to right with infantry and artillery. The Fed- 
eral commander seemed to be undecided in his plans, and exhib- 
ited no powers of combination or manccu\Ting. The lines Avere 
pushed forward, then drawn back, and the only Federal arm 
that seemed efficiently handled Avas the artillery. This was 
fought with great skill and eifect during the entire battle, and 
inflicted severe loss upon the Confederates. The accuracy of their 
fire was remarkable. The writer of this, who was present on the 
right, recalls an instance. A Blakely gun opened fire upon the 
Federal batteries, when one of their gams replied like an echo ; a 
round shot crashed among the canonneers, and a boy exclaimed 
to General Stuart who was sitting upon his horse near by, 
" General, their very first shot has killed two men ! " 

About ten o'clock the fog lifted, and the enemy were seen 
approaching in heavy force, about 55,000 troops having been 
concentrated against the Confederate right. They were com- 
manded by Generals Franklin and Hooker, whose orders were 
to gain possession of the old " Richmond road," turn the crest 
of hills at Hamilton's crossing, and assail the Confederate right 
flank. Encouraged by the silence of the Confederate batteries, 
the enemy pushed forward directly upon "Walker's position, and 
were suffered to come within eight hundred yards before a gun 
was fired. "When they had reached that point, however, four- 
teen guns opened suddenly, and completely broke and repulsed 
them. No troops could stand before the iron storm tearing 
through their ranks, and General Franklin could not imme- 
diately re-form his men and bring them again to the assault. 

About one o'clock, however, another attempt was made to 
carry the position — this time preceded by a heavy fire of artil- 
lery directed against Colonel Walker and General A. P. Hill. 
Walker opened all his batteries in response, and was assisted by 
Pelham on the right. The Federal forces, consisting of Frank- 
lin's and Hooker's gi'and divisions, were evidently staggered by 
the terrible fire ; but re-forming, pressed on and closed in upon 
A. V. Hill in a fierce and bloody struggle. An interval had 



FEEDEEICKSBUEG. 373 

been left between Archer's and Lane's brigades, and of this the 
enemy took instant advantage. Pressing forward, Hill's line 
was penetrated ; Lane's right and Archer's left turned ; and 
they were forced to fall back. Gaining thus a position in rear 
of that occupied by Lane and Archer, the enemy attacked 
Gregg's brigade ; and in this contest General Gregg, while 
attempting to rally Orr's Rifles, which had given way, fell mor- 
tally wounded. 

Seeing that his first line was rapidly being forced back by 
the overwhelming numbers brought against it. General Jackson 
now ordered up his second line, consisting of the commands of 
Lawton, Early, Trimble, and Taliaferro. Their appearance 
upon the scene changed every thing. In a brief but decisive 
combat they repulsed the enemy, and, following up their advan- 
tage, drove him with great slaughter to the railroad in front of 
the first position, taking a number of prisoners. So far was the 
pursuit carried, that Jackson's forces came within close range of 
the Federal artillery, and full upon their strong reserves of infan- 
try. The ground was not yielded, however, on that account ; and 
finding that the enemy did not advance. General Jackson 
determined to do so himself. Their artillery was so posted as 
to render the movement an extremely hazardous one, but the 
stake was great, and Jackson determined to take the risks, and 
if possible put the force of the enemy directly opposed to him to 
complete rout. Those who saw him at that hour, will never 
forget the expression of intense but suppressed excitement 
which his face displayed. The genius of battle seemed to have 
gained possession of the great leader, ordinarily so calm ; and 
his countenance glowed as from the glare of a great conflagra- 
tion. His design was to place his artillery in front, draw up 
the infantry in rear of it, and make the movement just as night 
descended, so that if necessary he might fall back under the cov- 
er of darkness. This design was destined, however, not to be 
carried into execution. Delay occurred in making the necessary 
preparations, and when, finally, the first guns moved forward, 
the enemy, evidently fearing such a movement, opened a 



374 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

terrific fire of artillery, wliich caused the abandonment of the 
project. 

We have neglected to speak of the events which occurred on 
General Jackson's right. The batteries there were a part of his 
command, though directed by General Stuart, and throughout 
the day fought with unyielding obstinacy. The enemy handled 
their guns with skill and nerve ; and their immense reserves 
were brought up and put into action — but they were encoun- 
tered and silenced. The duel between the opposing batteries 
dm-ing the latter part of the day was superb. Colonel Walker 
was exposed, from the position of his guns, to a destructive fire 
from the Federal batteries, and the Confederate artillery in the 
fields beyond Hamilton's crossing was the target for their 
heaviest gims, both on the south and north side of the river. 

Toward evening the battle in this part of the field became 
desperate. The enemy fought their artilleiy admirably, and 
never was their enormous strength in that arm more thoroughly 
displayed. Every species of projectile known to modern war- 
fare was rained upon the fields, from guns of every calibre and 
description, and in this cannonade the heavy siege pieces on the 
heights beyond the river bore an important part. The attempt 
of General Franklin to turn the Confederate right was supported 
in the most effective manner by his artillery, and the fire be- 
came appalling. It was delivered parallel to the railroad, and 
the Federal sharpshooters from the ditches poured a galling fire 
into the Confederate cannoneers. The batteries which opposed 
the Federal guns were those of Pegram, Latham, Crenshaw, 
Johnson, Mcintosh, Braxton, Letcher, and others. To these 
were subsequently added the 2d and 3d companies of Richmond 
howitzers, the first company being engaged on the left — the Staun- 
ton Ai'tillery, Lieutenant Gai'ber, a section of Poague's battery, 
Lieutenant Graham, Caskie's, Hardaway's, Louisiana Guard 
Artillery, Captain D'Aquin, and others — all under the command 
of Major Pelham, who fought them Avith soldierly skill and 
coolness. The whole of the artillery on the right, including 
Captain Henry's Horse Artillery, of Major Pelham's battalion, 



FEEDEEICKSBUKG. 375 

was under the immediate direction of General Stuart, who was 
everywhere in the thickest of the fight — the target of artillery 
and sharpshooters alike. The latter had posted themselves two 
or three hundred yards off, behind a hedge, and no doubt 
attracted by the plume and uniform of a general ofiicer, directed 
theii' fire upon him, striking him twice, but not doing him 
injury. Meanwhile, the batteries never for an instant relaxed 
in their fire. All through the aftei-noon they continued the fight, 
those which were disabled or out of ammunition retiring, to be 
replaced by others. 

Just at sunset Stuart ordered all his batteries to advance. 
This was done in consequence of a message from Jackson that 
" he was going to advance and attack the enemy precisely at 
sunset, and General Stuart was desired to advance his artillery 
and fire as rapidly as possible, taking care not to injure the 
troops as they attacked." This order was promptly obeyed. 
Stuart took up a position so much in advance as to be almost on 
the fiank of the Federal line, not five hundred yards distant, and 
opened a more rapid and determined fire than before. When 
General W. H. F. Lee, one of his cavalry ofiicers, sent to ascer- 
tain how matters were going on, Stuart replied, " Tell General Lee 
that aU is right. Jackson has not advanced, but I have ; and I 
am going to crowd them with artillery." This was boldly and 
effectually done, and the result was apparent. The Federal fire 
slackened, then ceased ; and when General Stuart's voice, in the 
darkness, ordered a new advance toward the Bowling Green 
road, no response could be elicited from their guns, and the 
Confederates remained masters of the field.* 

* The force which operated against the Confederate right in this action 
is stated to have been, as we have said, on Federal authority, 55,000 men. 
This is not improbable, as the bulk of the United States forces was used in 
this important assault. The army consisted of the 1st, 2d, 3d, 5th, 6th, 9th, 
and 11th Corps ; and if these were recruited to the full number they possessed 
by General McClellan's statement, at Shurpsburg, it would bring the Federal 
force, exclusive of the 3d, 11th, and one division of the 5th Corps, to '72,'718 
men. As the 11th was a corps of reserve, the Federal force was probably 



376 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

On the left a similar result followed the assault upou Marye's 
Hill. Irr this fierce and determined attack, which was made by 
Meagher's brigade, composed chiefly of Irish, the Federal loss 
was frightful. The troops were compelled to cross the open ground 
between the suburbs of the town and the base of the hiU, and 
while doing so were subjected to a close and deadly fire from 
Cobb's and Cooke's brigades, posted behind the stone wall at 
the foot of the heights, and from Colonel Walton's artillery in 
the earthworks above. This combined fire of bullets and can- 
ister drove them back, but they again charged. The result 
was the same — they were again repulsed with heavy loss, and 
were forced to fall back, with shattered ranks, to the protection 
of the houses. In this struggle General Cobb was killed and 
General Cooke severely wounded, nearly at the same moment. 

Such was the battle of Fredericksburg. It is remarkable for 
the small proportion of Confederate troops engaged, and for the 
bad fighting of the Federal forces. The explanation of the latter 
fact must be left to conjecture, but with the exception of 
Meagher's brigade, no portion of the Federal infantry seems to 
have acted with their customaiy efficiency. The charge upon 
Jackson seemed hot and determined, but in spite of the heavy 
force engaged in it — 55.000 men, by General Burnside's state- 
ment — it was repulsed without difficulty by Jackson's first and 
second lines, certainly falling short of 15,000 troops. The 
Federal forces seemed to fight without enthusiasm or confidence 
in their leaders. They had lost morale from some reason ; and 
so easily was their advance repulsed, that General Lee regarded 
the affair as nothing more than a heavy demonstration to feel 
his position, not a definite trial of strength wdth the whole 
Federal army. From the hill above Hamilton's crossing, in 
company with Jackson, General Lee witnessed, on the next 
(Sunday) morning, the imposing spectacle of the Federal army 
drawn up in battle array, with banners flying, as though about 
to advance to the assault ; but that assault was not to take place. 

not far short of 100,000 troops. General Lee's numbers are not known to the 
present writer. 



FEEDEEICKSBUKG. 377 

The explanation of the fact will be found in an extract from 
General Burnside's testimony before the subsequent Committee 
of Investigation, in which he states both his plan of attack and 
the considerations which induced him to abandon all further de- 
signs of carrying the heights occupied by the Confederates. 

" The enemy," said General Burnside, " had cut a road along 
the rear of the line of heights, where we made our attack, by 
means of which they connected the two wings of their army, and 
avoided a long detour round through a bad country. 

" I obtained from a colored man from the other side of the 
to\yn, information in regard to this new road, which proved to 
be correct. I wanted to obtain possession of that new road, and 
that was my reason for making an attack on the extreme left. 
I did not intend to make the attack on the right until that posi- 
tion had been taken, which I stipposed would stagger the enemy 
by cutting their line in two, and then I proposed to make a 
direct attack on their front and drive them out of the works. 

" I succeeded in building six bridges, and in taking the whole 
army across. The two attacks were made, and we were repulsed 
— still holding a portion of the ground we had fought upon, but 
not our extreme advance. That night I went all over the field 
on our right. In fact, I was with the officers and men until day- 
light. I found the feeling to be rather against an attack the 
next morning. In fact, it was decidedly against it. 

" I returned to my headquarters, and after a conversation 
with General Sumner, told him that I wanted him to order the 
9th Army Corps, which was the corps I originally commanded, 
to form the next morning a column of attack by regiments. It 
consisted of some eighteen old regiments and some new ones, 
and desired the column to make a direct attack upon the enemy's 
works. I thought that these regiments, by driving quickly up 
after each other, would be able to carry the stone wall and the 
batteries in front, forcing the enemy into their next line, and by 
joining in with them they would not be able to fire upon us to 
any great extent. I left General Sumner with that understand- 
ing, and directed him to give the order 



378 Ln-'E OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

" The order was given, and the order of attack was formed. 
On the next morning, just before the column was to have started, 
General Sumner came up to me and said : ' General, I hope 
you Avill desist from this attack. I do not know of any general 
officer who approves of it, and I think it wUl prove disastrous to 
the army.' Advice of that kind from General Sumner, who 
has always been in favor of our advancing whenever it was 
possible, caused me to hesitate. I kept the column of attack 
formed, and sent over for the division and corps commanders 
and consulted Avith them. They unanimously voted against the 
attack. I then went over to see the officers of the command on 
the other side, and found that the same opinion prevailed 
among them. 

" I then sent for General Franklin, who was on the left, and 
he was of exactly the same opinion. This caused me to decide 
that I ought not to make the attack I had contemplated ; and be- 
sides, inasmuch as the President of the United States had told 
me not to be in haste in making this attack — that he Avould 
give me all the support he could, but he did not want the Army 
of the Potomac destroyed — I felt that I could not take the re- 
sponsibility of ordering the attack, notwithstanding my own be- 
lief at the time that the works of the enemy could be carried. 

" In the afternoon of that day I again saw the officers, and 
told them that I had decided to withdraw to this side of the river 
all our forces, except enough to hold the town and the bridge 
heads, but should keep the bridges there for future operations in 
case we wanted to cross again." 

It was determined, however, by the advice of General 
Hooker, not to attempt to hold the town even, and on Monday 
night the Federal army commenced recrossing the river. By 
Tuesday morning the forces had disappeared from the south 
bank of the Rappahannock, and General Burnside's was another 
name added to the list of Federal generals who had suffered de- 
feat at the hands of Lee and Jackson. 



GENEEAL BUKNSroE ATTEMPTS A LAST ADVANCE. 379 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

GENERAL BURNSIDE ATTEMPTS A LAST ADVANCE. 

We have not described the excesses which the Federal offi- 
cers permitted the troops to commit in Fredericksburg — the 
burning of houses, the rifling of wardrobes, and the general 
spoliation of private property. These scenes, of the tragic and 
gi'otesque mingled — for men were found dead after Meagher's 
charge, with women's shawls and bonnets on — would take up too 
much space, and excite only disgust. They will doubtless be re- 
corded by local historians in the future, and will remain a dark 
portion of the great picture of the recent struggle. 

"We pass to General Burnside's final effort to gain a foothold 
south of the Rappahannock. In the latter part of January, the 
Federal commander massed his army opposite Banks' ford, sev- 
eral miles above Fredericksburg, and the troops were already in 
motion to attempt the crossing of the river, when the weather 
suddenly changed, and torrents of rain descended upon the army. 

The fate of any movement at this most unpropitious of sea- 
sons, was soon shown. General Burnside was literally stuck in 
the mud, and could not carry out his projected advance. The 
movement is described so vividly in army letters written to 
Northern journals at the period, that we shall make one or two 
extracts, and then dismiss the subject. One correspondent writes : 

" Within a space of two miles the scene of confusion was 
gi-eatest. In a deep gully, and on a hill-side, where the road 
ascended, where stuck fast more than a dozen guns, caissons, 
brigade wagons, and great headquarter wagons. The guns and 
pontoons were three days in reaching the ford, and had to be 
dragged by united labor of men and horses, when it was discov- 
ered that approaches to the river were impracticable. The mud 
in the freshly-cut roads was too deep. The men got in sight, 
they said, of rebel camp-fires. 



380 LITE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

" At every turn or rise on the road a wagon or caisson could 
be seen sticking fast in the mud ; horses and mules were down 
in the mire, unable to rise. In every gully batteries, caissons, 
supply-wagons, ambulances, and pontoons were mired ; horses 
and mules up to their bellies in mud ; soldiers on the march 
sinking to their knees at almost every step. It was impossible 
to draw an empty wagon through the dreadful mud. The whole 
army was stuck fast." 

Another correspondent gives a minute picture of the attempt- 
ed advance, and of the feeling of the troops. He says : 

" The march of the army to this place has been gloomy 
enough. The severest storm of the season has continued since 
early Tuesday evening until to-day. This afternoon there are 
signs of sunshine again. Of course the inclement weather render- 
ed army operations upon any very extensive scale wholly imprac- 
ticable. The execution of the orders for an advance would have 
been poorly enough in the finest weather, for, as I told you be- 
fore, the army has lost its prestige ; the soldier no longer thinks 
it an honor to belong to the Army of the Potomac. As an illus- 
tration of the feeling prevalent among the officers, I will say 
that when General Burnside's order, which you have no doubt 
already published, w^as read, the inquiry was made by an officer, 
' What do you think of it? ' 

" ' General, it don't seem to have the ring,^ was the response. 

" ' iVo, sir, the hell is hroken,' said the General. 

" Not that he meant any want of confidence in General 
Burnside ; but the bell of the Army of the Potomac is sadly 
fractured, and its tones have no longer the clear, inspii-ing ring 
of victory. But I do not need to refer to the condition of the 
army at greater length. Every phase you can get will reveal the 
same truth, Avhich is well understood here and at Washington. 

" AU day on Wednesday the men dragged their feet from 
one mud footstep to fathom another stUl more uncertain, and 
picked their way aloug the skirts of woods and fields and the 
edge of the road to keep as sound footing as possible. The cold 
rain poured in torrents. 



GENERAL BUENSIDE ATTEMPTS A LAST ADVANCE. 381 

" The mules and horses, ab-eady worn to hide and bone with 
cold and starvation, floundered and trembled in the uncertain 
ruts and deceptive mud pools. Teamsters and riders cursed and 
lashed their beasts, but to no avail. At two o'clock pontoons 
and guns and caissons, ammunition Avagons and ambulances 
were promiscuously mixed and interspersed in one long line, 
where the mire was momentarily growing deeper and the dark- 
ness of night approaching. Each general and commanding offi- 
cer whose business it was, were exerting themselves to their ut- 
most to get the teams along. Some generals covered with mire 
personally d'TCcted the drivers and the squads of men who 
manned long drag-ropes and assisted the horses in moving the 
heavy loads. 

" At the front the same state of affairs was observed. If the 
pontoons had been up on Tuesday ; yes, if the army had moved 
when the order xoas first given, when the roads were dry and hard, 
instead of waiting a week, until the enemy had learned of the move 
and of its destination, and the utmost reasonable expectations of 
continued fair weather had passed, the march would have been fine 
and the crossing would have been easy. The place selected had 
all the advantages that could be asked, and to the rebels disad- 
vantages which would have given us easy success. I forbear 
giving you the particulars of the location and preparations for 
crossing, as well as the strength of the army, guns, and such ar- 
rangements, as they may be secrets which would give the enemy 
an advantage should General Burnside return to the attack at 
this point when the roads are dry and ti'oops rested. 

" It had been contemplated to cross at several points, but the 
difficulty of moving pontoon trains and guns compelled the aban- 
donment of all but one place, and the concentration of men and 
trains at that on Wednesday night. In fact, I suspect the pur- 
pose of crossing had been abandoned by General Burnside at 
that time, and the troops and munitions were concentrated for 
safety and convenience. The troops encamped in the splendid 
growths of oaks, and the number of axes plying, and general 
hum of life and activity, impressed one with the idea of stepping 



382 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

into an immense ship-yard under full blast. The great blazing 
log fires soon -vvarmed the wet garments, and the men slept 
soundly. 

" On Tliursday the order was circulated to stop the further 
advance of troops and wagons and batteries not yet up. The 
cavalry in part returned to their old camps. Light artillery was 
also sent back, and order sent to General Sumner's grand divi- 
sion, which had not yet moved, postponing indefinitely the orders 
to be ready." 

" The bell is broken" — such was the figure employed to de- 
scribe the depressed condition of the Federal troops at this time. 
At the risk of wearying the reader we shall add another para- 
graph upon the same subject, which finishes the picture. It is 
taken from the New York •' Times," and the article from which 
it is extracted is said to have greatly enraged General Halleck 
at the time when it was published : 

" Sad, sad it is to look at this superb Army of the Potomac, 
the match of which no conqueror ever led — this incomparable 
army, fit to perform the mission the country has imposed upon it 
— paralyzed, petrified, put under a blight and spell ; and on the 
other hand the noble nation bleeding to death and pouring out 
the rich wine of its life in vain. 

" But the root of the matter is a distrust of the general con- 
duct and ordering of things. They feel that things are at loose 
ends — in fact they know it, for our army is one that reads and 
thinks. This spirit of discontent is augmented by many causes 
of a special nature. For example : 1. They have not for many 
months been paid. Shameful and inexcusable in the Govern- 
ment. 2. The stagnation, ennui, disgust, suffering, sickness, and 
discontent of camp life in winter (without winter quarters), amid 
Virginia mud, cold, and rain. No small hardships, I can assure 
you ; and it is doubtful if any European army ever had to sub- 
mit to equally gi-eat ones. 3. General feeling of despondency 
resulting from mismanagement and our want of military suc- 
cess. Soldiers are severe critics and are not to be bamboozled. 
You may marshal your array of victories in glittering editorials — 



GENERAL BUENSIDE ATTEMPTS A LAST ADVANCE. 383 

thej smile sarcastically at them. You see men who tell you 
that they have been in a dozen battles, and were licked and 
chased every time — they would like to chase once to see how 
it ' feels.' This begins to tell painfully on them. Their splen- 
did qualities — their patience, faith, hope, courage, are gradually 
oozing out. Certainly never were a gi'aver, gloomier, more 
sober, sombre, serious, and unmusical body of men than the 
Army of the Totomac at the present time. It is a saddening 
contrast with a ycvir ago." 

The condition of affairs in the Southern army was strongly 
in contrast with this ; and perhaps the Confederate authorities 
never had at their disposal a more effective force. The ranks 
had fiUed up since the Maryland campaign ; the men were well 
rationed and tolerably clothed, and the result of the battle of 
Fredericksburg, in which about 25,000 troops (if so many) had 
repulsed abotit 75,000, had greatly elated them. The present 
writer never remembers seeing the army in gayer spirits, and 
the correspondent of the London " Times," who saw them in 
the winter of 1862, speaks of the " wonderful spirits of the tat- 
terdemalion regiments of the South." The same writer adds : 

" It is a strange thing to look at these men, so ragged, slov- 
enly, sleeveless, without a superfluous ounce of flesh upon their 
bones, with wild matted hair, in mendicants' rags, and to think 
when the battle-flag goes to the front how they can and do fight. 
' There is only one attitude in which I never should be ashamed 
of your seeing my men, and that is when they are fighting.' 
These were General Lee's words to me the first time I ever saw 
him ; they have been confirmed by every other distinguished ofii- 
cer in the Confederacy." 

The Southern troops found at this time a stiU greater ad- 
mirer in the editor of the Washington " Republican," a journal 
of strong Northern sentiment ; and especial commendation was 
bestowed upon the Virginians : 

" K there has been any decadence of the manly virtues in the 
Old Dominion," said this writer, " it is not becanse the present 
generation has proved itself either weak or cowardly or unequal 



384 LITE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

to the greatest emergencies. No people, with so few numbers, 
ever put into the field and kept there so long, troops more nu- 
merous, brave, or more efficient, or produced Generals of more 
merit, in all the kinds and grades of military talent. It is not a 
worn-out, effete race which has produced Lee, Johnston, Jack- 
son, Ashby, and Stuart. It is not a worn-out and effete race 
wliich, for two years, has defended its capital against the ap- 
proach of an enemy close upon their borders, and outnumbering 
them thirty to one. It is not a worn-out and effete race which 
has preserved substantial popular unity under all the straits and 
pressure and sacrifices of this unprecedented war. ' Let history,' 
as was said of another race, ' which records their unhappy fate 
as a people, do justice to their rude virtues as men.' They are 
fighting madly in a bad cause, but they are fighting bravely. 
They have few cowards and no traitors. The hardships of war 
are endured without a murmur by all classes, and the dangers of 
war without flinching, by the newest conscripts ; while their gen- 
try, the offshoot of their popular social system, have thrown 
themselves into the camp and field with all the dash and high 
spirit of the European noblesse of the middle ages, risking, with- 
out apparent concern, upon a desperate adventure, all that men 
value ; and after a generation of peace and repose and security, 
which had not emasculated them, presenting to their enemies a 
trained and intrepid front, as of men born and bred to war." 



CHAPTER XXX. 

JACKSON AT FREDERICKSBURG. 

We pass now from the narrative of great public events to a 
few personal details of Jackson at the period of the battle of 
Fredericksburg. 

Those who served in the Army of Northern Virginia at the 
time in question will not soon forget the effect produced upon the 



JACKSON AT FKEDEKICKSBUEG. 385 

troops by the intelb'gence that Juckson had arrived with his in- 
vincible corps, and was ready to take part in any movement 
which occurred. The presence of the great soklier seemed to 
infuse new strength and confidence into every heart ; and wher- 
ever he passed the woods reechoed with cheers in his honor. He 
was then ascending to the summit of his fame, and the hearts of 
the men went forth to greet him with an affection and admiration 
amounting to enthusiasm. 

On the evening of his arrival he had thrown himself upon the 
ground, under a tree, and was warming himself by the camp-fire, 
when an excellent lady, living near at hand, sent him an invita- 
tion to come and sup with the family. His presence had been 
discovered from a soldier, who asked permission to draw water 
from the well " for General Jackson" — to which the good lady 
responded : " Tell General Jackson that every thing in this 
house belongs to him." 

The General speedily appeared in response to the invitation, 
and evidently enjoyed his conversation with the lady of the man- 
sion with the keenest relish. The only significant circumstance 
connected with the incident was the character of this lady. She 
was not young, brilliant, and amusing, but very old, gray-haired, 
and known throughout the whole region for her unassuming 
goodness and devoted piety. In her society, Jackson seemed to 
experience an inexpi-essible charm — to rest his brain and his 
heart, as with his sweet and modest smile he sat and listened to 
the simple friendly accents. His countenance was full of quiet 
pleasure as he talked with the aged lady, and in spite of his long 
day's march he nearly lost sight of his supper in continuing the 
conversation. 

Both are now dead ; but they must have met again beyond 
the stars. 

When the enemy's intended advance was ascertained, Jack- 
son's forces moved silently to their position, and the men began 
to look oitt for their favorite, in order to cheer him as he rode 
along the line. Strange to say, no sound was heard in any direc- 
tion, and one of the men said : 
25 



386 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

" "Why don't old Jack come along, I wonder? " 

" Why, he passed by a quarter of an hour ago," was the 
reply of a brother soldier. 

" Old Jack ! " exclaimed the first, " he pass by ! " 

" Yes, didn't you see him with his staff? " 

" What ! " ejaculated the soldier with an accent demanding 
at least three exclamation points, " that finely-dressed fellow that 
went by here. Old Jack ! No, sir I You can't fool me in that 
way ! " 

But Jackson had really passed, and the troops had not recog- 
nized him, from a very simple 'circumstance. He had doflfed his 
old coat soiled with dirt and scorched by the sim, to appear in a 
new uniform — for him of the most gorgeous description. It con- 
sisted of the new coat presented to him by General Stuart in the 
Valley ; a superb new overcoat of dark-blue cloth, with an am- 
ple cavalry cape ; and a new cap, in the shape of his old cadet 
cap worn in so many battles, but, unlike the former, shining with 
gold braid which was resplendent in contrast with the dark cloth. 
It was no wonder that the troops did not recognize him in this 
unwonted finery. The old uniform had seemed to them to be a 
part of him, and the new was by no means to their liking. 

Jackson's position during the battle was for the greater por- 
tion of the time near or in front of Colonel Walker's artillery on 
the hill above Hamilton's crossing, where his right was posted. 
Here the fire of the enemy's guns was exceedingly hot, and Jack- 
son, like the rest, dismounted and lay down to protect himself 
from the storm of shell which swept the crest. He was soon on 
horseback again, however, and moving to every portion of the 
field. It was in the latter part of the day that, while hurrying 
to another part of the line, he directed an officer to order his ar- 
tillery on tlie hill, then swept by projectiles, to move forward, 
and added coolly : 

" Captain, if you and your horse come out alive, tell General 
Stuart that I am going to advance my whole line at sunset." 

At this period of the action, Jackson exhibited unwonted ex- 
citement. Despite his collected bearing, it was evident from his 



JACKSON AT FREDEEICKSBTJKG. 387 

rapid movements from point to point, and a flush in his cheeks, 
that his whole soul was aroused, and his hrain on fire with the 
thought that he would be able to drive the enemy with the bay- 
onet beyond the river. Even, however, at this moment, when his 
resolution was taken, and his nature stirred to its depths, his 
soldierly courtesy did not desert him. To the salutes which he 
received, he responded as carefully, with the finger to the cap, as 
if he had been on parade. 

An afiecting incident is related by a friend * who shared his 
bed on the night of the battle ; and it is here given as we re- 
ceived it from him. About midiiight, Jackson's tent-mate, who 
had not yet fallen asleep, saw the soldier rise, dress, and go to 
his desk. He lit his candle, and, placing some books on end, so 
as to conceal the light from the supposed sleeper's eyes, began to 
work. From work he passed to reflection, and his friend said, 
suddenly : 

"What are you thinking of. General?" 

" Oh ! are you awake?" was his reply ; " I was thinking of 
the battle to-morrow, and that the balls will be hotter on the hill 
by the crossing than to-day." 

As they were conversing, the sound of horse's hoofs was 
heard approaching ; the noise ceased, and an orderly came into 
the tent. 

"Who is that?" asked Jackson. 

" Somebody from General Gregg, sir." 

" Tell him to come in." 

An officer appeared at the opening, and, saluting Jackson, 
said : 

" General Gregg is dying, General, and sent me to say to 
you that he wrote you a letter recently in which he used expres- 
sions he is now sorry for. He says that he meant no disrespect 
by that letter, and was only doing what he considered to be his 
duty. He hopes you will forgive him." 

Jackson listened to these words in silence, but it was evident 

* Colonel A. R. Boteler — our authority for this incident. 



388 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

that he was greatly moved. When the officer had ceased speak- 
ing, he said, earnestly : 

" Tell General Gregg I will be with him directly." 

Then calling to his body-servant, he directed him to saddle 
his " old sorrel." 

To this, however, the considerate Jim objected, and com- 
menced an elaborate account of what the old sorrel had passed 
through on that day. Jackson checked him impatiently, and di- 
rected him to obey without further words. 

" Say to the General," he added, turning to the officer, " that 
I will be with him immediately." 

And he was soon in the saddle, riding tlirough the chiU De- 
cember night, upon his mission. 

We know not what passed that night between the brother 
soldiers — what words were exchanged, Avhat pardon granted ere 
it was asked — or what solemn farewell's took place between the 
man about to die and him who watched beside him. There are 
many dramas in war — the curtain never rises upon some of the 
most affiicting. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 

WINTER QUARTERS AT MOSS NECK. 

After the battle of Fredericksburg, Jackson established his 
headquarters at " Moss Neck," the estate of the Corbins, about 
ten miles below the town, and here he I'emaincd during the 
winter. 

Upon the crest of the long range of hills which here runs 
along the right bank of the Rappahannock, dominating the wide 
low grounds, and affording admirable positions for artillery, if 
the enemy advanced, he remained for months, watching the up- 
lands on the opposite side of the river, and ready at any moment 
to oppose, with his veterans of the old corps, the advancing Fed- 



WINTEK QUAHTEKS AT MOSS NECK. 389 

erals. From an eminence near headquarters the view was very 
attractive. To the right and left the wooded range extended 
toward Fredericksburg on the one hand, and Port Royal on the 
other ; in front, the far-stretching low grounds gave full sweep 
to the eye; and at the foot of its forest-clad bluffs, or by the 
margin of undulating fields, the Rappahannock calmly flowed 
toward the sea. Old mansions dotted this beautiful land — for 
beautiful it was in spite of the chill influences of winter, with its 
fertile meadows, its picturesque woodlands, and its old roads 
skirted by long rows of shadowy cedars, planted with the regu- 
larity of ornamental shrubbery in a gentleman's garden. 

Headquarters were near the " Corbin House ; " in front was 
" Hayfield," the residence of that Taylor family illustrated in 
old days by " Colonel John Taylor, of Caroline ; " near at hand 
were the hospitable residences of the Baylors, Bernards, and 
others ; and in the distance, toward Fredericksburg, was " St. 
Julian," the ancient homestead of the Brooke family, which 
"Washington, Randolph, and the great statesmen of the past al- 
ways paused at on their journeys, to give the news and discuss 
the men and things of the past century. 

Another age had come now, and the smiling fields were dis- 
figured by the footprints of war. The meadows were crossed 
and recrossed by roads which had cut up the soil into ruts and 
miry holes. The steep banks — as the enemy have had an op- 
portunity of seeing — were fashioned into earthworks for sharp- 
shooters ; the beautiful cedars were felled to supply firewood for 
the troops ; and every thing betrayed the presence of the huge, 
dark, bloody, dirty, brutal genius of battle. 

Jackson em.ployed himself during the winter months in pre- 
paring the official reports of his battles. The embodiment of the 
facts, as given in the reports of officers engaged, was entrusted 
to Lieutenant-Colonel Faulkner, A. A. G., but Jackson carefully 
revised and corrected the statements before his official signature 
was appended. He was exceedingly careful not to have any 
thing placed thus upon formal record which was not established 
by irrefutable proof. Truth was, with him, the jewel beyond aU 



390 LITE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

price ; aud nothing discomposed him more than the bare suspi- 
cion that accuracy was sacrificed to effect. Another marked 
trait in him was his rooted objection to pi-csent in his reports the 
motives of his actioji, and explain the objects of his various 
movements. It is said that Colonel Faulkner remonstrated with 
him upon this point, and declared that the men who came after 
him would be greatly embarrassed by the absence of these ex- 
planations ; above all, that his fame would suffer on the pages 
of the historian. To this Jackson replied in nearly the following 
words : 

" The men who come after me must act for themselves ; and 
as to the historians who speak of the movements of my com- 
mand, I do not concern myself greatly as to what they may say." 

He disliked adjectives in the nan*atives of his battles ; and 
this severe simplicity renders his reports occasionally cold and 
dry to the reader — that of the battle of Kernstovvn, for example. 
But it is impossible to withhold our respect from the motives 
which prompted this brevity of statement. Jackson had indeed 
an unconquerable aversion for "making the most" of any event 
in which he was concerned. His native modesty revolted from 
every species of ostentation ; and boasting or self-laudation were 
with him simply impossible. His modesty was displayed in 
many ways. He always shrunk from those favorable compari- 
sons of himself with his brother soldiers which indiscreet news- 
paper writers indulged in, and regarded them with obvious pain 
aud repugnance. It is not so certain that he did not enjoy 
" skilled commendation " of his actions, and even the praises of 
the journals. He loved human sympathy and the admiration of 
his fellowmen ; and the expression of these feelings greatly 
pleased him, for he was conscious of having labored hard to 
deserve them. To the form, however, which this public senti- 
ment occasionally assumed, he Avas not a little opposed. He 
would never have his likeness taken. That which was fortu- 
nately secured in the spring of 1863, and appears in front of this 
volume, was the result of an urgent request from one to whom 
he could refuse nothing. When the publishers of an illustrated 



WmXEE QUAETEES AT MOSS JSTECK. 391 

periodical wrote to liim, asking for liis daguerreotype and some 
notes of his battles as the basis of a sketch, he wrote in reply, 
that he had no likeness of himself, and had done nothing worthy 
of mention. 

In the preparation of his official reports, and the routine of 
labor incident to his command, passed the winter days of 
1862-63. Those who visited Moss Neck during these days, 
give a humorous description of the surroundings of the famous 
General Stonewall. Before his tent was pitched, he established 
his headquarters in a small out-building of the Corbin House ; 
and all who came to transact business with Lieutenant-Genei-al 
Jackson, were struck by a series of headquarter ornaments of 
the most unique and surprising description. On the walls of the 
apartment were pictures of race horses, well known and dear 
in former days to the planters of the neighboring region. Then 
there Avas a portrait of some celebi'ated game cock, ready 
trimmed and gaffed for conflict to the death. A companion 
piece to these was the pictiu-e of a terrier engaged in furious 
onslaught upon an army of rats, which he was seizing, tearing, 
and shaking to death as fast they came. These decorations of 
headquarters excited the merriment of the General's associates ; 
and General Stuart suggested to him that a drawing of the apart- 
ment should be made, with the race horses, game cocks, and 
terrier in bold relief, the picture to be labelled : " View of the 
winter-quarters of General Stonewall Jackson, affording an in- 
sight into the tastes and character of the individual." The im- 
pression which he produced upon his visitors, at the time in 
question, is exhibited by the following passage from a letter 
of the Eev. Dr. Hoge, who went to call upon him. Dr. Hoge 
writes : 

"• I have just returned from a visit to General Jackson's 

headquarters, at Moss Neck, the grand mansion of Mr. , 

some ten miles from Fredericksburg. The General modestly 
occupies the lower room of one of the offices in the yard. As 
soon as I arrived General Jackson claimed me as his guest, and 
I gladly spent what time I could with him. I found Mr. 



392 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

regularly ensconced in his office, as a sort of chaplain general, 
not officially, of course, but virtually. His work is partly to in- 
crease the number of chaplains, placing them where most needed, 
and partly to preach himself wherever there is need of it in the 
corps. His position is very important, and his residence with 
General Jackson not only furthers his influence, but is personally 
profitable to him. Indeed, it seems hardly possible to be long 
in the society of that noble and honored General, that simple- 
hearted, straightforward, laborious, devoted man of God, with- 
out catching something of his spirit — the spirit of toil, of patience, 
of modesty, of careful conscientiousness, of child-like dependence 
on God, of fervent believing prayer. While I was in camp I 
preached five times in the Stonewall Brigade. How the men 
crowded into their log church, how they listened, how they 
seemed to hang upon the word, you, of all men, need least to be 
told, for you have seen so much of them from the beginning of 
the war. On Sunday night, after preaching, the General, Mr. 

, and myself, had a long talk, as we sat drying our boots iu 

front of the open fire. When it was nearly eleven o'clock the 
General asked me to conduct worship ; and afterwards, before 
retiring, he set us the example of kneeling again for secret 
prayer. He then shared his bed upon the floor with me, and we 
talked till long after midnight. Though usually taciturn, he led 
the conversation. How anxious he was for his army ! how 
anxious for himself! How manifest it was that he is a man 
whose great desire is to be right in all things, and especially to 
be right before God ! In our whole intercourse I could not de- 
tect the slightest trace of self-importance, ostentation, or seeking 
after vainglory. To glorify God possessed all his thoughts. 
' I have been thinking a great deal about our chief end lately,' 
said he, ' and I think the first answer in oiir catechism tells it 
all ; man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him for- 
ever ; and I think,' he added, ' we need not trouble ourselves 
much about the second part, if we only attend well to the first. 
I find ray life in camp a very happy one when I am enabled to 
keep this aim steadily before me — to live for the glory of God.' " 



WINTER QUARTEES AT MOSS NECK, 39? 

Those who saw him during this period, will recall maBy 
other charming reminiscences of him. He was very fond of 
children, and those of the neighborhood will long remember the 
kind voice and smile of the soldier — his caresses and affectionate 
ways. We have alluded to the new cap, which the General 
wore at the battle of Fredericksburg, resplendent with gold braid 
and all manner of decorations. He did not admire this fine sub- 
stitute for that old, sun-scorched cap, which had so long served 
him ; and when, one day, a little girl was standing at his knee, 
looking up froin her clustering curls at the kindly General, whose 
hand was caressing her hair, he called for a pair of scissors, 
ripped off the rich gold band, and joining the ends, placed it like 
a coronet upon her head, with smiles and evident admiration of 
the pretty picture thus presented.* 

Another little girl, in one of the hospitable houses of that 
region, told the present writer that when she expressed to a 
gentleman her wish to kiss General Jackson, and the gentleman 
repeated her words, the General blushed very much, and turned 
away with a slight laugh, as if he was confused. 

These are trifles, but it is purely a pleasant spectacle to see 
the great soldier amid these kindly, simple scenes ; to watch the 
leader, whose soul has never shrunk in the hour of peril, passing 
happy moments in the society of laughing children. 

The days passed thus qviietlj at Moss Neck, the enemy 
making numerous demonstrations, but never crossing. January, 
February, the greater part of March went by, and Jackson still 
remained upon his crest of hiUs above the meadows of the Rap- 
pahannock. But late in March he moved his headquarters to a 
point near Hamilton's crossing, just in rear of the battle field 
of Fredericksburg, on the southern side of the Massaponnax, and 
not far from General Lee. 

He had some time before been made Lieutenant-General, but 
this promotion could add nothing to the stature of a man whose 
military renown was so firmly established. 

* The late Colonel A. S. Pendleton, Jackson's A. A. G., is our authority 
for this incident. 



394 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

Jackson looked forward to the coming campaign with the 
deepest interest. He was one day conversing with a member 
of his staff, and having stated the grounds upon which he be- 
lieved a great battle would soon take place, he remained sQent 
for some moments, and then added humbly and reverently : 

" My trust is in God." 

A brief silence again followed these words ; but suddenly the 
face of the soldier flushed with martial enthusiasm, and rising 
to his feet, with flashing eyes and compressed lips, he exclaimed : 

" I wish they would come ! " 

The spring was now beginning to advance, and the season 
for hostilities had returned. Jackson hastened the preparation 
of his reports, and had the satisfaction of knowing that at last 
they were nearly complete. 

It was whilst he was engaged in his revision of the report 
of the operations of his corps in the Maryland campaign, that 
the note of battle was again sounded ; and from memories of 
past events and the battles already fought, he was recalled to 
the present and to the still more desperate conflict about to take 
place — to the last, and what was^o prove not the least splendid 
of his achievements. 



CHAPTER XXXH. 

FEDERAL PREPAEATIONS FOR THE CAMPAIGN OF 1863. 

It is impossible in a work like the present to present that 
comprehensive view of operations in every quarter of the field, 
which is necessary to an intelligent understanding of the late 
revolution. The crowding incidents of the struggle must be 
sought elsewhere. Scarce an allusion can be made to them 
here. 

The aspect of affairs at the opening of the year 18G3 was 



FEDERAL PKEPARATIONS FOE THE CAMPAIGN OF 1863. 395 

far more encouraging to the South than in the spring of 1862. 
Then a heavy cloud seemed to have settled upon the Southern 
horizon, and ruin stared the Confederates in the face. Donald- 
son and Roanoke Island had been captured ; the Confedei'ates 
had been defeated at Elkhorn, Kernstown, and Newbern, which 
latter loss exposed aU Eastern North Carolina. In April Fort 
Macon surrendered, and on the 1st of May New Orleans fell. 
Such had been the aspect of affairs in May, 1862. 

As May, 1863, approached, the prospects of the South looked 
far more favorable, and the victories of Cold Harbor, Cedar 
Run, the second Manassas, and Fredericksburg had inspired the 
troops with enthusiasm. In Virgmia two years of arduous 
struggle had not enabled the Federal authorities to penetrate 
beyond the Rappahannock ; and on the southern banks of that 
river, in the opening of the spring of 1863, the long lines of 
Confederate pickets warned the enemy that any attempt to cross 
would be resisted by the army which had repulsed them in De- 
cember at Fredericksburg. 

We are compelled, in like manner, to pass over the political 
events of the period, including the Emancipation Proclamation 
of President Lincoln, by which he declared the slaves free on 
and after January 1, 1863, and announced that the Federal Gov- 
ernment would " do no act or acts to repress such persons or 
any of them, in any eiforts they may make for their actual 
freedom." The general survey, military and political, must be 
looked for elsewhere. 

What had, however, a direct bearing upon the Virginia 
campaign, and the subject of this book, was the evident impres- 
sion among many of the most prominent politicians at the North, 
that unless the approaching campaign was successful, the Fed- 
eral Government must make peace upon the basis of separation 
and Southern independence. The New York "Tribune" an- 
nounced the programme of operations which the times de- 
manded, and gave its views as follows : " Having massed our 
forces and filled our depots and caissons, charge upon the rebels 
in every quarter — assailing their ports with iron-clads, their ar- 



396 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

mies with stronger armies, fighting resolutely but warily with 
intent to capture their strongholds and exhaust their resources — 
while expeditions of light-armed black Unionists, carrying only 
arms and ammunition, traverse those portions of Rebeldom most 
exposed and thickly peopled with slaves, carrying liberty to all 
who wish it, and arms wherewith to defend it ; moving rapidly 
and evading all fortified points and overpowering forces, while 
breaking up railroads and telegraph lines, and making trouble 
generally." If this " making trcuble generally" hy hlacJc Union- 
ists and others did not attain its object, then the war must be 
given up by the North. " If three months more of earnest 
fighting," said the "Tribune," " shall not serve to make a serious 
impression on the rebels — if the end of that term shall find us 
no further advanced than its beginning — if some malignant fate 
has decreed that the blood and treasure of the nation shall ever 
be squandered in fi'uitlcss efibrts — let us how to our destiny, and 
make the hest attainable peace." 

The Federal authorities seemed so far to concur in these 
views, as to determine upon a more resolute prosecution of hos- 
tilities than before. Every means was again used to gather re- 
cruits, and by the spring the authorities had upon the shores of 
the Rappahannock, a force which Major-Gcneral Peck, of the 
United States Army, stated, in the New York " Herald " to 
have numbered 159,300 men. 

This large army was not to be commanded by General Burn- 
side. The battle of Fredericksburg seems to have occasioned 
his disgrace with the military authorities, and he was to be suc- 
ceeded by General Joseph Hooker, called, for his nerve and ob- 
stinacy upon the field, " Fighting Joe Hooker." This oflicer 
was a soldier of ability as division or corps commander, but 
does not seem to have possessed the faculties necessary in the 
head of an array. He had become embroiled both with Gen- 
eral McClellan and General Burnside, whose operations he 
greatly censured before the Committees of Investigation ; and the 
Federal authorities now seemed to have so far coincided in his 
views as to have decided that he should have an opportunity to 



THE CAMPAIGN OPENS. S97 

display bis own abilities unbampered by any immediate supe- 
rior. He was placed in command of tbe celebrated Army of 
tbe Potomac ; all tbe resources of tbe Government were put at 
his orders ; and in April be bad ready for the field an army 
which he himself described as " tbe finest on this planet." 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 

THE CAMPAIGN OPENS. 

At the end of April tbe two armies confronted each other on 
the banks of the Rappahannock, from a point above its conflu- 
ence with tbe Rapidan, as far down as Port Royal. The buUc 
of tbe Confederate forces remained, however, near Fredericks- 
burg. Tbe various fords in the county of Culpepper were 
guarded by General Stuart with bis cavalry. 

Tbe first note of the coming conflict was sounded on tbe 1 7th 
of March from the upper Rappahannock. On that day General 
AveriU with about three thousand cavalry crossed tlie river at 
Kelly's ford, with the obvious purpose of cutting General Lee's 
communications in tbe direction of Gordonsville, and ascertain- 
ing his strength and position. 

Bad fortune, however, attended tbe expedition. Tbe Fed- 
eral general was met near Kelly's ford, by General Fitz Lee, 
with about eight hundred cavahy, and bis advance so obstinately 
opposed, that, after a day of stubborn and. bloody conflict, he 
was forced to fall back, with heavy loss, and recross the river. 
General Lee's loss was considerable ; and among the officers 
killed was Major John Pelbam — the " gallant Pelham" of Gen- 
eral Lee's report at Fredericksburg — who was present with Gen- 
eral Stuart during the battle. The faU of this great artillerist 
was an irreparable calamity, but tbe enemy were checked ; and 
the Southern troops bad tbe prestige of victory in the first action 
of the spring campaign. 



398 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

After the battle of Ivellysville, which for hard and obstinate 
fighting has scarcely been excelled, the Federal forces remained 
quiet until April. Toward the middle of that month every 
thing indicated an early advance. It was known that General 
Hooker had been making extraordinary exertions to increase the 
strength of his army, and to place every department of the 
command upon a thorough " war footing." These labors were 
said to have secured the desired result ; and, in the month of 
April, the Northern journals repeatedly and confidently asserted 
General Hooker's ability to overwhelm General Lee whenever 
he advanced. 

This confidence seems to have been shared by General 
Hooker and the majority of his officers. Whether deceived by 
spies, who communicated false intelligence, or misled by his 
own anticipations, which made " the wish the father to the 
thought," the Federal commander exhibited, in many ways, a 
perfect confidence in his ability to defeat Lee, and looked for- 
ward to the battle about to take place as destined to terminate 
the war. 

The advance of the Federal forces was preceded as usual by 
movements of cavalry. The enemy had largely increased their 
force in this branch, and paid great attention to its armament 
and equipment. The North had been ransacked for horses ; the 
best patterns of carbines and pistols were furnished in profusion ; 
and great attention was given to the organization of the force, 
the character of its ofiicers, and its eflTiciency in every particu- 
lar. The commanders were given to understand that much was 
expected of them ; and General Pleasanton, to whose command 
the whole was entrusted, seemed anxious to recover the laurels 
which Averill had lost in his encounter with Fitz Lee. 

During the month of April, persistent attempts were made 
by Pleasanton to penetrate into the county of Culpepper, and 
beat up General Stuart's quarters there ; his expectation being 
to gain information, and unmask General Lee's position. 

These attempts, however, were unsuccessful. The Confed- 
erate cavalry under Stuart confronted the enemy at every point, 



THE CAMPAIGN OPENS. 399 

from United States ford below the confluence of the rivers to the 
upper waters ; whenever the Federal cavahy crossed they were 
forced to retire with loss, and up to the moment when General 
Hooker's army was put in motion, the enemy's great cavalry 
force had been useless in gaining for the commanding general 
information of General Lee's position, movements, or designs. 

We have spoken of Lee's position in general terms. The 
main body confronted the enemy's camps near Fredericksburg, 
and occupied the woods ia rear of the old battle field. A force 
was posted opposite Ely's and United States fords higher up the 
river, and the various fords from United States to Hinson's, far 
up the Rappahannock, continued to be picketed by Stuart's caval- 
ry, which, under the supervision of that energetic commander, left 
no avenue of advance xmguarded. The exposed left flank was 
rightly regarded as the direction from which the Federal forces 
would attack, with the view of turning General Lee's positioK 
and forcing him to fall back. Extreme vigilance was accord- 
ingly enjoined vipon the cavalry pickets ; and no sooner had the 
Federal column put itself in motion on the upper waters than 
General Stuart telegraphed the fact to General Lee. 

Tt would seem that General Hooker decided to advance upon 
receiving information that the " only army to oppose him was 
one of 40,000 under Jackson, Lee being sick and his army scat- 
tered." The presence of General Longstreet, with the greater 
part of his corps in front of Sufiblk, south of James River, was 
well known to the Federal commander ; and he rightly decided 
that if it was possible for him at all to defeat Lee's army, it was 
possible now. 

General Plooker's plan is said to have been as follows : 

A force of about 20,000 men was to cross the Rappahannock 
near the old battle field of Fredericksburg, and thus produce 
upon the Confederate commander the impression that General 
Hooker was about to renew the attempt in which General 
Burnside had failed. Whilst General Lee's attention was en- 
gaged by the demonstration at this point, the main body of the 
Federal army was to cross the Rappahannock by the upper fords, 



400 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

and sweeping down with rapidity upon General Leo's left flank, 
take a strong position not far from Fredericksburg. The col- 
umn which had crossed below was then to recross the river, 
move rapidly up the northern bank to the fords which the move- 
ment of the main body would have uncovered ; and, a second 
time crossing to the southern bank, unite with the other. Thus 
the whole force of General Hooker would be concentrated on the 
south side of the Rappahannock, and General Lee would be 
compelled to leave his strong position on the Massaponnax hills 
and fight upon ground chosen by his adversary, or fall back 
rapidly to prevent that adversary from attaining liis rear and de- 
stroying him. 

In order to insure the event of the conflict which it was an- 
ticipated General Lee Avould determine upon before falling back, 
measures were taken to interrupt his communications so as to 
cut off his supplies and prevent General Longstreet from coming 
to his assistance. An extensive cavalry raid against the Central 
Railroad Avas accordingly made a part of the programme ; and 
this, it was expected, would render General Lee's defeat perfect- 
ly certain. 

Such was the apparently skilful but really bungling strategy 
by which General Hooker attempted to outgeneral his able ad- 
versary. Formidable as his scheme appeared, it yet had a fatal 
flaw. The Federal commander was dividing his forces in pres- 
ence of an opponent Avith whose ability he was thoroughly ac- 
quainted ; and w^as exposing himself to the sudden and fatal 
blow which Avas so soon to fall. The movement of his cavalry, 
from Avhicli he expected so much, Avas tlie most fatal error of all. 
By thus detaching nearly his whole mounted force from tlie main 
army. General Hooker exposed himself to the great flank attack 
from Jackson — Avhich the presence of his cavalry Avould have 
unmasked — and insured the defeat of his army. 

The Federal commander seems scarcely to have doubted, 
however, his ability to defeat General Lee, and appears to have 
cherished tiie conviction that if he could once mass his forces on 
the southern bank of the Rappahannock, the CAxnt AA'as certain. 



GENERAL HOOKER ADVANCES. 401 

When this object was afterwards attained, General Hooker is- 
sued an order of congratulation to his troops, in which he de- 
clared that he occupied a position so strong that " the enemy 
must either ingloriously fly or come out from behind his defences, 
and give us battle on our own ground, where certain destruction 
waits him." 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 

GENERAL HOOKER ADVANCES. 

General Hooker's preparations were at last complete, and 
on Monday, the 27th day of April, the troops were put in 
motion. 

The 5th, llth, and 12th Corps of the Federal army, under 
General Slocum, moved with eight days' rations toward Kelly's 
ford, near the point where the Orange and Alexandria RaUroad 
crosses the Rappahannock, and by Tuesday night were in posi- 
tion and ready to cross on the ensuing day. On Tuesday night 
also, the 1st, 3d, and 6th Corps were opposite Franklin's cross- 
ing, three miles below Fredericksburg, ready to cross on pon- 
toons simultaneously with the force above. 

Both columns were on "Wednesday, April 29th, thrown 
across the Rappahannock at the points mentioned, and establish- 
ed themselves, without resistance, upon the southern bank of the 
river. At the same time the great cavalry expedition under 
General Stoneman began also to move, its route being through 
the coitoty of Culpepper, in the direction of Gordonsville. 

General Hooker was in personal command of the main body, 
which crossed at Kelly's ford, and now steadily moved toward 
the Rapidan. 

As soon as the designs of the enemy were developed in the 
directions of Kelly's ford, General Stuart concentrated his cav- 
alry in front of that point, and observed their further movements, 
26 



402 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON, 

commimicating full information of their force and the direction 
of their march to General Lee. As the Federal column ad- 
vanced, he hung upon its front and flank, and by a successful 
attack at Madden's, below Brandy, threw the enemy into dis- 
order, and ascertained from prisoners captured that the column 
consisted of the corps of Howard, Slocum, and Meade. The 
men had eight days' rations in their haversacks, and supply trains 
moved with the force, from which it was apparent that General 
Hooker designed a real advance to offer battle to the Southern 
army. 

. Every exertion was now made by Stuart to harass them and 
impede their progress. Discovering speedily that they were 
moving toward Ely's and Germanna fords on the Rapidan, he 
hastened with General Fitz Lee's brigade around by Raccoon 
ford above, to gain the front of their column, and interpose him- 
self between them and Fredericksburg. General TV. H. F. Lee's 
brigade, which constituted the rest of the command, was de- 
tached to guard the upper fords of the Rapidan, and oppose 
Stoneman's heavy column of cavalry, which was then advancing 
in the direction of Gordons ville. 

The great events occurring in another portion of the field 
will prevent us from returning to the subject of this extensive 
raid. We shall, therefore, speak briefly of it hoie. The Federal 
cavalry rapidly advanced and attacked General W. H. F. Lee 
upon the Rapidan, but were delayed there for a considerable 
time by that able commander. When he fell back in accordance 
with orders from General R. E. Lee, General Stonemau hastened 
across, penetrated the country to the Central Railroad, which he 
tore up for a short distance near Trevillian's ; passed on to 
James River, ravaging the country and carrying off horses ; at- 
tempted to destroy the Columbia aqueduct, but failed ; returned ; 
retreated, destroying the bridges on the South Anna behind him ; 
and hurried back across the Rapidan. During all this time the 
horsemen of Lee had harassed him at every step ; cut off de- 
tached portions of his command ; captured many officers and 
men ; and greatly demoralized his men. With an adequate 



GENERAL HOOKEK ADVANCES. 403 

force, instead of a few hundred men upon jaded horses, General 
W. H. F. Lee would have cut off General Stoneraan's retreat 
and compelled his surrender. 

The Federal columns under General Hooker had meanwhile 
pressed on to Germanna and Ely's fords, where they succeeded 
in crossing in spite of resistance from Captain Collins, of the 15th 
Virginia cavalry. At the same time Couch's 2d Corps prepared 
to cross at United States ford below. 

In front of Banks' and Ely's fords General Lee had two 
brigades of Anderson's division, Posey's and Mahone's, and one 
battery — iu aU about 8,000 men. Upon the approach of the 
enemy this force was withdrawn and concentrated at Chancel- 
lorsviUe, where it was joined upon the morning of the 30th by 
"Wright's brigade, which had been sent up to reenforce it. The 
enemy stiU pressing on, reenforced now by Couch's Corps from 
United States ford — making four army corps, under the imme- 
diate command of General Hooker — General Anderson fell back 
from ChanceUorsviUe to Tabernacle Church, on the plank road 
five miles below, where he could be reenforced by the old Mine 
road, running thence to General Lee's position near Fredericks- 
burg. 

Such were the relative positions of the adversaries on the 
night of Thursday, the 30th of April. General Hooker had en- 
tirely succeeded thus far in his plans ; his main body was over, 
Sedgwick's column was recrossing the river to march up and 
reunite with him, and Stoneman was streaming like a meteor 
toward the Central Eaikoad. Around ChanceUorsviUe, the 
Federal forces were rapidly throwing up strong intrenchments, 
and two-thirds of the difl&culties and dangers of the whole cam- 
paign seemed over. 

They had just commenced. 



404 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

CHAPTER XXXV. 

IN THE WILDERNESS. 

The battle of Chancellorsville was a strange conflict, and it 
took place in a singular country. Let us attempt to sketch the 
features of the landscape, and define some of the localities of the 
great drama. 

Journeying westward from Fredericksburg over a broad and 
excellent road, which in former days was the great highway be- 
tween the lower Rappahannock and the mountains, the traveller 
is called upon to decide, some five miles from the town, whether 
he wiU continue in the road which he is pursuing — the " old turn- 
pike " — or follow one which diverges to the left, and is known 
as the " Orange plank road." Both lead to Chancellorsville, 
five or six miles distant — the "old turnpike " conducting him 
straight over hill and through dale to the point in question ; the 
" plank road " winding around so as to pass over a more level 
country. Taking the latter, the traveller passes the ruins of 
" Tabernacle Church," five miles from Chancellorsville ; then 
" Aldi-ich's house," two miles distant ; and reaches the locality 
of the great struggle. 

Chancellorsville was (for it is now destroyed) a large brick 
mansion, with ample wings, and was formerly used as a tavern 
for the entertainment of travellers journeying to and fi-o from 
Fredericksburg to the mountains. Standing in front of the 
Chancellorsville house and looking southward the traveller had 
before him extensive fields bounded by forests ; behind him a 
belt of woods, through which approached the main road from 
Ely's and United States fords, a few miles distant. By this road 
the Federal forces reached Chancellorsville. Two or three miles 
in front, but concealed from view by the thick growth of stunted 
oaks and pines, was " the Furnace," an assemblage of buildings 
for smelting iron ore. By this locality, Jackson moved from a 



IN THE WILDERNESS. 405 

point between the " Tabernacle Church " and Chancellorsville, 
to gain the right flank of the enemy. A mile or two distant on 
the right was a plain wooden dwelling house, on the left side of 
the main road, known as " Melzi Chancellor's." Between this 
house and Chancellorsville, Jackson fell. A few hundred yards 
from it, in the edge of the woods on the right of the road, was a 
small white building, known as " Wilderness Church." Just 
beyond this point the old turnpike, which had been swallowed up 
at Chancellorsville by the plank road, again left it — the plank 
diverging to the left, the turnpike running straight on. Two or 
three miles beyond Chancellorsville the plank road was joined 
by a branch, the Germanna ford plank road coming from the 
northwest and crossing the old turnpike at " Wilderness Run," 
five miles from Chancellorsville, where stood and still stands a 
tall wooden building, called the " Wilderness Tavern." Here 
Jackson was taken when he was wounded. Last of aU, about 
half a mile from the angle formed by the junction of the Orange 
and Germanna plank roads, an eccentric independent highway 
known as the " Brock E-oad," and running from Spottsylvania 
Court-House to Ely's ford, crossed the Orange road and the old 
turnpike, keeping on its course without respect to either. By 
the " Brock road " Jackson attained the old turnpike, and made 
his attack upon the enemy's right and rear. 

The country around Chancellorsville was known as " The 
Wilderness," and the bare fields, alternating with dense and im- 
passable thickets, communicated to the region an appearance 
inexpressively drear and melancholy. The houses were few and 
lost in the interminable pines — often no indications of human 
habitation were seen for many miles ; and the only sign of life 
which greeted the lonely traveller as he pursued his dreary jour- 
ney in the evening over the interminable plank road, winding on 
through the thick wood, was the mournful cry of the whippoor- 
will — that sound which was the last to greet the ears of so many 
dying soldiers on the night of the great battle about to make this 
sombre region more gloomy and depressing than before. 

In this country of unending thickets and narrow and winding 



406 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

avenues, General Hooker had established himself, carefully add- 
ing to the natural strength of the position. His troops were 
massed around ChanccUorsville, and the approaches to the cen- 
tral point were obstructed in every direction by felled trees, 
earthworks for infantry, and redoubts for artillery. From Melzi 
Chancellor's on the right, around toward the Furnace to the 
southward, and across the plank road and the old turnpike below, 
these defences extended in an unbroken line, or rather lines — for 
he had constructed additional works behind the first line, upon 
which to fall back if hard pressed. The approach to these de- 
fences was over narrow roads, completely commanded by hun- 
dreds of pieces of artillery, or through thickets where the growth 
was so dense as in many localities to prevent the passage of a 
human body between the trunks of the trees or the matted boughs. 
In front of all bristled an elaborate abatis of felled trees, which 
it seemed impossible for troops to charge across without being 
annihilated. Yet those obstacles were surmounted ; that bristling 
abatis passed, and the Federal works carried at the point of the 
bayonet. 

General Hooker had thus guarded elaborately against that 
attack which, in spite of his order to his troops, he probably ex- 
pected. Federal writers assert that ChancellorsvUle was selected 
as enabling General Hooker to there intercept the army of Gen- 
eral Lee on its " line of retreat toward Gordonsville ; " but there 
is reason to believe that the Federal commander there halted to 
avail himself of the character of the ground to repel an attack, 
and from the very reasonable apprehension that if he advanced 
further he would expose his own " line of retreat" in case of 
disaster, back to the Eappahannock. 

The left wing of the Federal army, composed of three army 
corps under General Sedgwick, and numbering about 20,000 
men, crossed, as we have seen, three mUes below Fredericksburg, 
on Wednesday, April 29th, and General Jackson, whose com- 
mand was opposite that point, promptly drew up his corps in line 
of battle to repel the anticipated attack. D. H. HUl's division, 
commanded by General Rodes, was formed on the right of and 



m THE WILDERNESS. 407 

perpendicular to the railroad, near Hamilton's crossing, his 
right extending to Massaponax Creek ; and this line was 
strongly and rapidly fortified by the troops under fire from the 
Federal artillery on the northern bank of the river. 

As the enemy did not advance, however, either on that day 
or the next, it became apparent that General Sedgwick's move- 
ment was merely a feint intended to occupy the attention of the 
Confederate commander, while the main body of the Federal 
army crossed at some other point. 

This view of the enemy's designs was soon confirmed by in- 
telligence from General Stuart that General Hooker had crossed 
the Rappahannock at Kelly's ford, on the same day, and was 
then moving steadily toward the Rapidan. It was obvious that 
General Sedgwick's part of the programme was to retain General 
Lee at Fredericksburg, not to make an attack ; and that General 
Hooker designed to reach Chancellorsville, or some other point 
on General Lee's flank, from which he would be able to take 
his position near Fredericksburg in flank and reverse. 

The resolution of General Lee was promptly taken. Jack- 
son was ordered to leave one division of his corps in front of 
General Sedgwick near Hamilton's crossing, and proceed with 
the three others by the military road to Tabernacle Church, 
five miles from Chancellorsville ; and taking command of An- 
derson's force at that point, " attack and repulse the enemy." 

This order reached Jackson about 8 o'clock in the evening, 
and at midnight the three divisions were on the march to Taber- 
nacle Church. They were A. P. Hill's division, D. H. Hill's, 
commanded by General Rodes, and Trimble's, commanded by 
General Colston. 

The command reached Tabernacle Church on Friday, May 
1st, and continued to advance up the plank road toward Alrich's, 
when heavy firing from the old turnpike on the right indicated 
that Anderson, who had been ordered to move up by that road, 
had met the enemy. The force with which he came in contact 
proved to be Sykes' division of regulars, and an obstinate resist- 
ance was offered to his further advance. The firlner becominjr 



408 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

very close and heavy, Jackson halted his column, and detached the 
brigades of Ramseur, McGowan, Heth, and Lane, which were 
sent forward to support General Anderson. The remainder of 
the corps was then di'awn up in line of battle on the ridge in 
rear, and directed to wait for further orders. 

Jackson continued to pi*ess tlie enemy back toward Chancel- 
lorsville, in spite of stubborn resistance, until he found himself 
in front of their first line of intrenchments, and was subjected to 
the fire of the artillery in their earthworks, which the dense 
woods had up to that moment masked from view. The heavy 
abatis in front of these defences rendered the result of an attack 
very doubtful ; and finding the day far spent, Jackson determined 
to defer ftirther operations until the next morning. The enemy 
had now retired from his front, and that night the command 
bivouacked near Alrich's house, about two miles from Chancel- 
lorsville. 

While these events were occurring in front of the enemy's 
line of works stretching north and south across the plank road 
and old turnpike, a hot artillery duel took place near the " Fur- 
nace," a point, as we have said, about two miles south of Chan- 
cellorsville, directly in front of the Federal right wing. General 
Wright had been sent with his brigade to this point to feel the 
enemy, and here he was joined by General Stuart, who had con- 
trived to harass General Hooker's column and impede his advance 
by charges of cavalry, and the fire of his batteries of horse artillery, 
all along the road from Germanua ford. The Federal infantry 
occupied a commanding position about 1,200 yards in front, and, 
with the design of driving them from this ground, which General 
Wright wished to secure. General Stuart directed Major Beck- 
ham, his chief of artillery, to open upon the enemy with four 
pieces of his horse artillery. This was done, and the Federal 
infantry were driven from the crest ; but the fire of Stuart's 
pieces drew upon them the concentrated fire of several batteries 
which were masked behind the woods, and now suddenly opened 
all their thunders at the same moment. Further to the left, 
from a position on Talley's farm. Captain Breathed, of the horse 



IN THE WILDERNESS. 409 

artillery, also opened on ttie Federal infantry with a section of 
rifle pieces ; but in the conflict at the " Furnace " the Confeder- 
ates sustained considerable loss. General Stuart here lost his 
efficient Adjutant-General Major R. Channing Price, a young 
officer of great courage and capacity. All who knew him 
loved him, and his death was a loss to the service. 

Night put an end to the contest in this portion of the field, 
and both armies prepared for the arduous struggle which was to 
take place on the ensuing day. 

Meanwhile General Lee had arrived with the remainder of 
Anderson's and McLaws' division. And a consultation was held 
to determine upon the further plan of action. The position of 
the Federal forces was peculiar. We have described it in general 
terms on a preceding page, but note here some additional par- 
ticulars relating to it, which will convey a better idea of the 
difficulties with which the Confederate commander was called 
upon to contend. General Hooker had expected an attack 
either from the direction of Fredericksburg on the line of the 
old turnpike, or from the direction of Spottsylvania Court-House, 
by way of the " Furnace." Against an assault from these two 
quarters he had guarded himself by a double line of battle some- 
what resembling two sides of a square, his right ranging 
along the plank road in front of Chancellorsville nearly east and 
west, his left extending toward the river nearly north and south, 
the angle where the two lines joined each other being below and 
not far from the Chancellorsville house. The abatis in front 
of the works was, as we have said, almost impassable, the 
dense thickets presented a barrier which no courage could over- 
come ; and behind the lines, as upon his flanks, the Federal com- 
mander had posted his numerous artillery ready to sweep the 
roads as the Southerners advanced. 

Humanly speaking. General Hooker's position was impreg- 
nable against an attack in front, except with a loss of life in 
citorming it frightful to contemplate ; and the design of assailing 
him from the east or the south was speedily abandoned. 

An attack upon one of his flanks promised better results ; and 



410 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

Jackson's suggestion that he should move well to the left and 
make a sudden attack upon the enemy's right and rear above 
Chancellorsvillc, while another assault was made in front, was 
speedily assented to by General Lee. By this movement, the 
elaborate series of defences thrown up by the enemy would be 
rendered useless, their plan of battle reversed ; and they would 
be compelled to face to the rear and fight, if they fought at all, 
at a disadvantage. 

Those who are familiar with the bent of Jackson's geniu3 
will easily comprehend the alacrity with which he proceeded to 
carry out General Lee's orders. These sudden and mortal 
blows struck at an enemy rejoicing in the strength of his de- 
fences, and prepared to hurl destruction on the assailant while 
he himself is protected, always possessed an inexpressible charm 
for the great leader who had delivered so many such ; and Jack- 
son now saw the field open for a supreme exhibition of military 
genius, and a decisive victory. 

He knew the importance of celerity and secrecy of move- 
ment, and every preparation was made for the march at an early 
hour on the succeeding morning. No precautions were omitted 
calculated to mask the movement from the enemy. Experienced 
guides were promptly secured, and General Stuart was ready 
with his cavalry to cooperate in the enterprise by guarding the 
front and flanks of the column, driving off scouting parties, and 
communicating prompt intelligence of the enemy's position or 
movements. By the assistance of this experienced commander 
of cavalry, and through the employment of due precaution, Jack- 
son did not doubt his ability to reach the point where he intended 
to attack, without being discovered, and to strike a blow which 
would decide the fate of the enemy. 



CHANCELLOKSVILLE. 411 



CHAPTER XXXVI. 

C H A N C E L L O R S V I L L E . 

On the morning of the 2d of May Jackson was early in the 
saddle, and pushed forward his preparations with vigor, in spite 
of a distressing cold which he had caught by sleeping without 
sufficient covering to protect him from the humid airs of the 
chill spring night. 

This cold had resulted from his kindly solicitude for the com- 
fort of another. In the hasty march he seems to have left be- 
hind him his blankets, and one of his aides threw over him a 
heavy cape, as some addition to his scant covering. During the 
night Jackson bethought him that the young man might be suf- 
fering from cold in consequence of this generosity, and, rising 
quietly, he spread the cape over the youthful sleeper, and again 
lay down without it. The consequence was a severe cold ; and 
this cold terminated in that attack of pneumonia which, occur- 
ring at a time when he was enfeebled by his wound, resulted in 
his death. If he had not thrown that cape over his sleeping aide, 
it is probable that he would have survived his wounds. 

In spite, however, of this severe indisposition, Jackson had 
never exhibited more ardor and energy than when undertaking 
this great movement. Its splendid details and triumphant result 
were no doubt mapped out in his brain, and an unwonted ex- 
citement mastered him. The enterprise was one which demand- 
ed the highest traits of military genius. He had undertaken to 
move, without being discovered, along the entire front of the 
enemy, and in close proximity to their lines ; to make his way by 
unfrequented roads and through dense thickets to their flank and 
rear, and to attack the large force of General Hooker in his 
intrenchments above Chancellorsville, and put every thing upon 
the issue of the struggle. If one step went wrong in the pro- 
gramme, his purpose would be defeated ; if he was repulsed in 



412 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

the assault, there was no possibility of receiving assistance from 
General Lee ; upon his skill and soldiership depended not only 
the success of the movement which he was about to make, but 
the very existence of the great army corps which he com- 
manded. 

The column commenced its march at daybreak. Leaving 
the plank road about a mile and a half from Chancellorsville, 
and occupying the attention of the Federal forces by the fire of a 
battery under Major Pegi-am, Jackson pressed on steadily by 
the Old Mine road in the direction of the Furnace ; the cavalry 
under General Stuart moving in front and on the flanks of the 
column, to mask the troops from the enemy. At the Furnace 
the 23d Georgia, Colonel Best, was left to guard the road lead- 
ing from that point toward Chancellorsville, in order to protect 
the column against an attack on its flank in passing, and Jack- 
son continued to advance. As the rear of the column reached 
the Furnace, the anticipated attack took place ; the enemy sud- 
denly advancing and assailing the 23d Georgia so unexpectedly 
that the whole regiment, with the exception of Colonel Best and 
a few men, was surrounded and captured. The trains of the 
corps were also attacked by the Federal forces, but Colonel J. 
Thompson Brown promptly placed his artillery in position, and, 
after a brief but hot engagement, the enemy were repulsed and 
compelled to retreat toward Chancellorsville. 

The design of the Confederate commander seemed thus to have 
been unmasked ; but such was not the fact. The enemy still had 
no suspicion of his real intentions, and the direction in which his 
column now moved no doubt explains this circumstance. The road 
which Jackson followed, bends southward at the Furnace for a 
short distance, returning, as it were, toward the point from which 
it came ; and the enemy's writers assert that they supposed the 
Southern troops to be in full retreat toward Spottsylvania Court- 
House. Such was the fatal misconception of General Hooker — 
affording one more proof of the soundness of Napoleon's maxim, 
that the first necessity of a general is to study the character of 
his opponent. General Hooker ought to have beeu sufficiently 



CHAJSrCELLOESVILLE. 413 

acquainted with tlie character of JacksoQ to understand that to 
retreat without a battle was no part of the military philosophy 
of the man of Kernstown ; and that the soldier who had flanked 
General McCleUan and gotten in rear of General Pope, would 
probably try the same strategy against General Hooker. 

The column continued its rapid march — its movement com- 
pletely masked by the cavalry which attacked and drove off the 
reconnoitring parties of the enemy — its destination undreamed 
of by the Federal army, now engrossed by Lee's attack in front. 
Hour after hour the march continued without cessation ; the 
troops penetrating with difficulty the wild country through 
which they moved ; the artillery slowly toiling on through the 
narrow roads over which the heavy engines of war had never 
before moved. Jackson rode at the head of his column, and 
General Stuart with his cavalry continued to protect the front 
and flank from observation. Reaching the Brock road, running, 
as we have said, from Spottsylvania Court-House to Ely's ford, 
and crossing the right flank of the enemy, Jackson continued to 
foUow it until he attained the point where it intersects the 
Orange plank road, not far from the plank road to Germanna 
ford, and about three miles from Chancellorsville. 

At this point General Fitz Lee, commanding the cavalry 
under General Stuart, informed Jackson that, by ascending an 
elevation near at hand, he could obtain a good view of the posi- 
tions of the enemy, who, taking him for a simple cavahy vidette, 
would pay no attention to him. He accordingly proceeded to 
the point indicated, and from which the Federal cavalry had 
been driven. A single glance showed him the position of the 
Federal line of battle. He was not yet sufficiently on the ene- 
my's flank, and, turning to one of his aides, he said, briefly, 
" Tell my column to cross that road." He referred to the 
Orange plank road, and, hastening back, placed himself again at 
the head of the troops, who continued to move by the Brock road, 
and advanced without delay to the old turnpike.* 

* General Fitz Lee gives us tliis incident. 



414 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

The movement had thus far been a complete success. Jack- 
son had reached without discovery a position where he could at- 
tack the enemy in flank and reverse, and orders were instantly 
issued to prepare the troops for action. Those avIio saw him at 
this moment declare that he had never exhibited greater anima- 
tion and ardor. The troops moved rapidly to their positions, 
and line of battle was promptly formed ; Rodes' division in front, 
on the left of the turnpike ; A. P. Hill's two hundred yards in 
rear of the first line ; and Colston's at the same distance in rear 
of the second. This disposition of the forces was subsequently 
modified, however, in consequence of the dense undergrowth, 
which rendered it almost impossible for the troops to move for- 
ward in extended line of battle, and Rodes only advanced in line, 
the two other divisions, with the artillery, moving in column 
along the road. The only artillery which was in front and 
ready for action at the opening of the engagement, was a section 
of the Stuart Horse Artillery, under Captain Breathed ; and 
these pieces moved in front of Rodes, having been ordered by 
General Stuart to keep a few yards in rear of the skirmishers, 
which were thrown forward about four hundred yards in ad- 
vance. 

If the reader has understood our verbal chart of the country, 
he Avill perceive thatithe enemy was now taken at a fatal disad- 
vantage. The old turnpike ran straight into the flank and rear 
of the Federal right wing, and Jackson's design was to advance 
rapidly on the line of this road, extend his line of battle well to 
the left, andj swinging round with his left, cut off the enemy's re- 
treat to the fords of the Rappahannock, and capture them. This 
strange wilderness of impenetrable thickets and narrow roads 
presented almost insuperable obstacles to the success of such an 
undertaking ; but such was the confidence of the Confederate 
commander in his veteran corps, trained to overcome all difii- 
culties upon many battle fields, that he looked forward to victory 
as within his grasp. 

The Federal lines extended across the, old turnpike, close 
now to his front ; behind these, below Melzi Chancellor's, they 



CHANCELLOKSVILLE. 415 

occupied strong earthworks, protecting the flank of their right 
wing; and on the ridge at Chancellorsville, their epaulements 
were mounted with rifled artillery, ready to sweep the approaches 
from every quarter. General Hooker had been joined at this 
time by the 1st and 3d Corps of General Sedgwick's column, and 
had six army corps at Chancellorsville. The force of General 
Lee, in the absence of Longstreet, was about 35,000 men in all 
— and of these Jackson had taken 22,000 to make his attack 
upon the Federal right.* 

Jackson had moved so skilfully and silently that up to the 
moment of attack the enemy did not so much as suspect his pres- 
ence. Immediately in front of him was Sigel's 11th Corps, com- 
manded on this day by General Howard ; and Fate decreed that 
this force should receive the last charge of Jackson. 

That charge was sudden, unlooked for, decisive. At fifteen 
minutes past five in the evening Jackson gave the order for his 
lines to advance and charge the enemy's works ; and at the 
Avord the men rushed forward with tumultuous cheers, bearing 
straight down on the flank of the Federal right wing. The two 
guns of Breathed opened a rapid fire in front of the line — ^lim- 
bering up and advancing at a gallop to secure new positions as 
the infantry rushed on — and Rodes burst like a thunderbolt upon 
the unsuspicious troops of Howard, who ran from their suppers, 
which they were cooking, to seize their arms and endeavor to 
defend themselves. Rodes' men debouched at a double-quick 
from the woods, uttering loud cheers, and, attacking the enemy 
in front and flank, pressed on to their intrenchments and stormed 
them, capturing several hundi'ed prisoners and five pieces of ar- 
tillery. So sudden was this attack that scarcely any organized 
resistance was offered to the assault — the Federal forces flying 
in the wildest confusion, leaving the field strewed with their guns 
and knapsacks. 

In this attack the men of Colston's division bore a prominent 

* General Lee's numbers are not understated here ; and the force under 
Jackson is exactly stated, on the authority of Colonel A. S. Pendleton, his 
assistant adjutant-general, an officer of very high character and intelligence. 



416 I.IFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

part. They advanced with great enthusiasm ; soon caught up 
with General Rodes* line ; and, mingling with it in inextricable 
confusion, went over the enemy's works, and aided in completing 
the rout of the Federal forces. 

Colonel Crutchfield, Jackson's chief of artillery, now hurried 
forward his batteries, and opened a heavy fire upon the enemy's 
epaulements near Chancellors ville, which drew from their artil- 
lery a furious response. This fire was directed down the road, 
however, and inflicted small loss upon the Confederate infantry. 
They were advancing to the right and left of the road, led by 
Jackson in person, and those who saw him at this moment de- 
clare that he seemed completely carried away by the excitement 
of the moment. He leaned forward on his horse, extending his 
arm far in front, as though he wished to " push the men for- 
ward," and his voice was heard exclaiming, " Press forward ! 
press forward ! " every few minutes during the entire attack. 
When not thus mastered by the ardor of battle, his right hand 
was raised aloft with that gesture now familiar to his men, as 
though he were praying to the God of battles for victory.* 

The charge of the Confederates had resulted in the complete 
rout of the right wing of the Federal army. Jackson had burst 
upon them from the woods so suddenly that they could not or 
did not make the least resistance. Whole regiments ran without 
firing a shot. Batteries went off at a gallop, ran into trees and 
fences, and were captured and turned upon them. At a single 

* "Frequently, during the fiercest of the conflict, he would stop, raise his 
hand, and turn his eyes toward heaven, as if praying for a blessing on our 
arms. The frequency with which this was done that evening attracted the 
attention of all with him. Our troops made repeated charges, driving the 
enemy before them every time, which caused loud and long-continued cheering 
along our entire line, which was ever the signal for victory — and General 
Jackson would invariably raise his hand and give thanks to IJim who gave 
the victory. I have never seen him seem so well pleased with the progress 
and results of a fight as on that occasion. On several occasions during this 
fight, as he passed the dead bodies of some of our veterans, he halted, raised 
his hand as if to ask a blessing upon them, and to pray God to save their 
souls." — MS. of Captain Wilbourn, of Jackson's staff. 



CHANCELLOESVILLE. 417 

blow Jackson had paralyzed the right wing of the Federal army, 
and they were rushing in complete disorder upon the reserves. 
A writer in a Northern journal thus describes the scene : 

" The flying Germans came dashing over the field in crowds, 
stampeding and running as only men do run when convinced that 
sure destruction is awaiting them. I must confess that I have 
no ability to do justice to the scenes that followed. It was my 
lot to be in the centre of that field when the panic burst upon us. 
May I never be a witness to another such scene ! On one hand 
was a solid column of infantry retreating at double-quick ; on the 
other was a dense mass of beings who were flying as fast as their 
legs could carry them, followed up by the rebels pouring their 
murderous volleys in upon us, yelling and hooting, to increase 
the confusion ; hundreds of cavalry horses, left riderless at the 
first discharge from the rebels, dashing frantically about in all 
directions ; scores of batteries flying from the field ; battery 
wagons, ambulances, horses, men, cannon, caissons, all jumbled 
and tumbled together in one inextricable mass — and the murder- 
ous fire of the rebels still pouring in upon them ! To add to the 
terror of the occasion there was but one means of escape from 
the field, and that through a little narrow neck or ravine Avashed 
out by Scott's Creek. Toward this the confused mass plunged 
headlong. For a moment it seemed as if no power could avert 
the frightful calamity that threatened the entire army. On came 
the panic-stricken crowd, terrified artillery riders spurring and 
lashing their horses to their utmost ; ambulances upsetting and 
being dashed to pieces against trees and stumps ; horses dashing 
over the field ; men flying and crying with alarm — a perfect tor- 
rent of passion, apparently uncontrollable. The men ran in all 
directions. They all seemed possessed with an instinctive idea 
of the shortest and most direct line from the point whence they 
started to the United States Mine ford, and the majority of them 
did not stop until they had reached the ford. Many of them on 
reaching the river dashed in and swam to the north side, and are 
supposed to be running yet. The stampede was universal ; the 
disgrace general." 
27 



418 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

The attack thus briefly described lasted for two or three hours. 
The first charge took place at half-past five or six in the after- 
noon, and the Confederate troops continued to follow the enemy 
until after eight at night. The tangled undergrowth of the re- 
gion rendered successfiil pursuit almost impossible ; but through 
this obstinate barrier the troops rushed on, driving the enemy 
before them until they took refuge in the strong works around 
ChancellorsviUe. The Southern lines continued to press forward 
until they reached the ridge overlooking that upon which Chan- 
cellorsviUe is situated, about half a mile distant, when, in the 
darkness, the right of the Confederate line became entangled in 
a heavy abatis of felled trees, and the troops were compelled to 
halt. 

They were now in very great confusion — the divisions of 
Rodes and Colston having been mingled almost inextricably — 
and it was necessary to desist from the attack in order to re-form 
the commands. This was rendered still more necessary by a sud- 
den fire from the Federal batteries in front, scarcely half a mile 
distant, which swept the road and woods with shot and shell, still 
further adding to the confusion resulting from the charge. 
Rodes* division was accordingly ordered to fall back, and, direct- 
ing General A. P. Hill to move with his division to the front, 
Jackson rode forward to reconnoitre the enemy's position. 

It was now nearly ten o'clock at night. The Wilderness 
slept in the tranquil light of the moon, and from the dark 
thickets came the continuous and melancholy cry of the whip- 
poorwill, sounding strangely amid that scene upon which so 
many human beings had just met in close and deadly encounter. 
The silence was unbroken, except by these plaintive cries of the 
bird of night, mingled with the tramp and hum of men, as they 
moved to their allotted positions for the new struggle which, in 
spite of the darkness, Jackson had determined upon ; and from 
the dark lines of the enemy near Chancellorsville, directly in 
front, came only a confused and hollow murmur — sole evidence 
of the fact that their army was on the (jui vive, and their gunners 
standing with lighted port-fires beside the pieces, ready to sweep 



CHANCELLOESVILLE. 419 

the approaches to the position which they occupied, if the rustle 
of a leaf or the fall of a twig announced a new advance of the 
Southerners. 

Jackson's design had been only half achieved. He had 
driven the enemy from their first line of intrenchments, and 
doubled up their right wing on their centre. But this only 
showed the possibility of a more decisive success. Jackson saw 
at a glance the immense results to be achieved by vigorously fol- 
lowing up the blow which he had already struck, and his design 
now was to swing round with his left, interpose his corps 
between the Federal army and United States ford, and capture 
or destroy them, or be himself destroyed. 

He wanted but " one more hour- of daylight" he afterwards 
said, to effect this great movement, and cut the enemy off from 
the Rappahannock ; but within the hour he was himself to fall, 
sti'uck down by one of those incomprehensible decrees of Provi- 
dence which men see but cannot understand. We approach with 
pain the details of this event, which filled the whole South with 
grief. 

Jackson had ridden forward, as we have said, to reconnoitre, 
accompanied only by Captain R. E. Wilbourn of his staff, and 
Captain William Randolph, Avith about half a dozen couriers, and 
two men of the signal corps. The enemy were less than two 
hundred yards in front of his lines, and no pickets had been es- 
tablished. Thus Jackson soon found himself considerably in 
advance of the troops, with nothing between him and the enemy. 
Who was to blame for this neglect we have no means of ascer- 
taining, but it resulted in the death of Jackson. 

Such was his ardor at this critical moment, and so great his 
anxiety to penetrate the movements of the enemy, doubly 
screened as they were by the dense forest and the shadows of 
night, that hff continued his way without thought of the great 
danger to which he was exposing himself. So real was this 
peril that one of his staff ofiicers said to him : " General, don't 
you think this is the wrong place for you? " To which he replied 
quickly, " The danger is aU over — the enemy is routed ! — go 



420 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

back and tell A. P. Hill to press right ou I " No one presumed 
to offer further remonstrance, and Jackson continued to advance 
down the road toward Chancellorsville, listening for every 
sound, and endeavoring to peer through the half darkness. 

He had advanced in this manner more than a hundred yards 
beyond his lines, and had reached a point on the road opposite an 
unfinished weather-board house on the right, whose shell-torn 
roof may still be seen, when suddenly, without any conceivable 
cause, a heavy voUey was fired by the Confederate infantry in his 
rear and on the right of the road, apparently directed at him and 
his escort. Several of the party fell from their horses ; and 
Jackson turned to the left and galloped off in the opposite direc- 
tion. He had not gone twenty steps into the woods when a 
Confederate brigade, w^hich was there dra^vn up within twenty 
yards of him, delivered a volley in their turn, kneeling on the 
right knee, as the flash of the guns showed, as though preparing 
to guard against cavalry. By this fire Jackson was wounded in 
three places. He received one ball in his left arm, two inches 
below the shoulder joint, shattering the bone and severing the 
chief artery ; a second passed through the same ai"m, between 
the elbow and wrist, making its exit through the palm of the 
hand ; and a third ball entered the palm of his right hand, about 
the middle, and passing through, broke two of the bones. 

At the moment when he was struck he was holding his bridle 
in his left hand, and his right was raised, either in the gesture 
habitual with him, or to defend his face from the boughs of the 
trees. His left hand immediately dropped by his side, and his 
horse, thus no longer controlled by the rein, wheeled suddenly 
and ran off with him from the firing, in the direction of the en- 
emy. His helpless condition exposed him immediately to a dis- 
tressing accident. His horse ran violently between two pine 
trees, from one of which a low bough extended, about the height 
of his head, to the other ; and as he passed between the trees 
this bough struck him in the face, tore off his cap, and threw him 
so violently back that his shoulders came in contact with his 
horse. He did not fall, however, and soon rose erect again, 



OHANCELLOKSVILLE. 421 

seizing the bridle with the bleeding fingers of his right hand, and 
turning the horse into the road again. Here Captain Wilbourn 
succeeded in catching the reins and checking the animal, who 
was almost frantic from teiTor, at the moment when, from loss 
of blood and exhaustion, Jackson was about to fall from the 
saddle. 

The scene which the road presented at this moment was 
gloomy and exciting. Horses mad with fright were seen run- 
ning in every direction, in the greatest confusion — some of them 
riderless, others defying the control of their riders — and in the 
road lay the wounded and dying, making the night more tragic 
with their groans. The whole escort of Jackson, except Captain 
Wilbourn and Mr. Wynn, of the signal corps, were killed, 
wounded, or dismounted. One of the signal corps, who was rid- 
ing just behind Jackson, had his horse killed, and himself fell 
mortally wounded. A courier was wounded, and his horse ran 
with him into the enemy's lines, which were not more than one 
hundred yards distant ; and Lieutenant Morrison, aide-de-camp 
and brother-in-law of Jackson, threw himself from his horse as 
he ran off toward the enemy's lines — the animal falling dead a 
moment afterwards. Captain Boswell, chief engineer, who had 
been sent to General Hill, near by, was killed, and his horse ran 
with him into the enemy's lines before he fell ; Captain Forbes, 
aide-de-camp to General Hill, was killed ; Captain Howard, of 
the staff, was wounded, and his horse bore him off into the Fed- 
eral camp ; Captain Leigh, aide-de-camp, had his horse shot under 
him ; and two or three of General Hill's couriers were killed. 
Near the spot where Jackson was wounded, were counted the 
dead bodies of fourteen horses. 

Such had been the lamentable result of this causeless fire — 
officers and men killed, others wounded, others borne off into the 
enemy's lines ; Captain Boswell, of Jackson's staff, dragged a 
corpse toward Chancellorsville, and Jackson himself wounded 
unto death. 

We proceed to relate the remaining particulars of the tragedy. 
The firing had ceased as suddenly as it began, and Jackson Tvas 



422 LITE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

back in tlie road near the spot where he had received the first 
volley. No one but Captains Wilbourn and Wynn, of the signal 
corps, were present now. The rest were dead or scattered. But 
some one was seen sitting on his horse by the side of the road, 
and looking on, motionless and silent. This unknown individual 
was clad in a dark dress, which strongly resembled the Federal 
uniform ; but he was directed to "ride up there, and see what 
troops those were " — the men who had fired the volleys. The 
stranger slowly rode in the direction pointed out, but never re- 
turned. Who this silent personage was, is left to conjecture. 

Captain Wilbourn, who was standing by Jackson, now said, 
" They certainly must be our troops " — to which the General 
assented with a nod of the head, but said nothing. He was 
looking up the road toward his lines " with apparent astonish- 
ment," and continued to look in that direction as if unable to 
realize that he could have been fired upon and wounded by his 
own men. His wound was bleeding profusely, the blood stream- 
ing down so as to fill his gauntlets, and it was necessary to act 
promptly. Captain Wilbourn asked him if he was much injured, 
and urged him to make an effort to move his fingers, as the 
ability to do this would show that his arm was not broken. He 
endeavored to do so, looking down at his hand during the at- 
tempt, but speedily gave up the effort, announcing that the arm 
was broken. An attempt made by his companion to straighten it 
caused him great anguish, and murmuring, " You had better 
take me down," he leaned forward and fell into Captain Wil- 
bourn's arms. He was so much exhausted by loss of blood, 
that he was unable to take his feet out of the stirrups, and 
this was done by Mr. Wynn. He was then carried by the two 
men to the side of the road, whei*e, in case the enemy advanced, 
he would not be discovered, and his fall could not come to the 
knowledge of his own troops. Here he was laid under a small 
tree. Captain Wilbourn holding his head upon his breast, and 
Wynn was sent back to summon Dr. McGuire, his chief sm-geon, 
and hasten up the first ambulance which could be found. The 
messenger was also cautioned not to mention his wound to any 



CHAJ^CELLOESVILLE, 423 

one but the surgeon, in order that the troops, soon to renew the 
attack, might not be discouraged. Captain Wilbourn then made 
an examination of his injuries ; first removing the General's field 
glasses and haversack — which latter contained some paper, en- 
velopes, and two religious tracts— and putting them on his own 
person for safety, he proceeded, with a small penknife, to cut 
away the sleeves of the India rubber overall, dress coat, and two 
shirts from the bleeding arm. 

While engaged in this painful duty he heard the sound of 
horses' hoofs approaching, and General HiU, who had succeeded 
in checking the fire of the troops, to which he had also been ex- 
posed, rode up. Captain "Wilbourn called to him, and he ap- 
proached — dismounting immediately, with Captain B. "W". Leigh, 
serving that day on his staff. The rest of the staff and escort 
were halted, and remained in the saddle a few paces from the 
spot. Jackson had just murmured, " Captain, I wish you would 
get me a skilful surgeon," when General HiU came to his side, 
and expressed his regret at the occurrence, asking if the wound 
was painful. Jackson replied, " Very painful," and added that 
his " arm was broken." General Hill pulled off his gauntlets, 
which were fuU of blood, and Lieutenant Smith, his aide-de-camp, 
who had just arrived, removed his sabre and belt. The arm, 
now much swollen, was tied up with a handkerchief; and as it 
had ceased bleeding, and Jackson did not complain, or exhibit 
any marks of suffering, those around him indulged the hope that 
the artery was not cut. He was painfully weak, however, and 
it was necessary that some stimulant should be administered. 
A flask, containing a smaU quantity of whiskey or brandy, was 
furnished by one of the party, and this was held to his lips. He 
swallowed the spirits with manifest repugnance, and then called 
for water, which was handed him in a canteen, and of which he 
drank freely. This seemed to give him strength, but his con- 
dition was still critical, and it seemed impossible to move him 
without making his wound bleed afresh. 

To remove him from that spot was, however, absolutely neces- 
sary. The enemy were not more than a hundred yards distant ; 



424 LITE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

the battle might recommence at any moment ; and the situation 
of the ■wounded leader, thus exposed to both the Federal fire and 
that of his own men, and in danger of being trampled upon by 
the charging battalions, was critical in the extreme. Either 
death or capture imminently threatened him ; and it was not 
long before a new act in the tragic drama commenced. 

Suddenly the voice of Captain Adams, of General Hill's 
staiF, was heard from the road, about ten or fifteen yards in front 
of the group, calling out : " Halt ! surrender — fire on them if 
they don't surrender ! " 

General Hill immediately drew his pistol, and mounting his 
horse, moved back to take command of his line, first assuring 
Jackson that he would keep his accident, as far as possible, from 
the knowledge of the troops — for which the General thanked 
him. The persons halted proved to be two Federal skirmishers 
who at once surrendered, with an air of considerable astonish 
ment, declaring that they were not aware they were in the Con- 
federate lines. This incident will show how near the enemy 
were at the moment ; and a few minutes afterwards Lieutenant 
Morrison, Avho had now come up, reported that the Federal lines 
were advancing rapidly, and were at that moment within less 
than a hundred yards of the spot. He exclaimed, " Let us 
take the General up in our arms, and cai-ry him off! " but Jack- 
son, now very faint and pale, replied, " No ; if you can help me 
up, I can walk." 

He was accordingly lifted and placed upon his feet, when the 
enemy's batteries in front opened with great violence, and Cap- 
tain Leigh, who had just arrived with a litter, had his horse 
killed under him by a shell. He leaped to the ground, near 
Jackson, and the latter leaning his right arm upon this otficer's 
shoulder, slowly di-agged himself along toward the Confederate 
lines, the blood from his wounded arm flowing profusely over 
Captain Leigh's uniform. The Southern troops were now in 
motion to repulse the advance of the enemy, and as they passed 
the wounded general, whose escort of officers indicated his rank, 
they asked : " Who is that? who have you there?" 



CHAJTCELLOKSVILLE. 425 

To this the reply was, " Oh, it is only a friend of ours who 
is wounded." 

These inquiries became at last so frequent as the column 
continued to pass, that Jackson said : " When asked, just say it 
is a Confederate officer." 

The curiosity of the troops, however, was evaded with the 
utmost difficulty, and the men would go around the horses which 
were led along on each side of the General, to conceal him, to 
see if they could recognize him. Something in the atmosphere 
seemed to inform the veterans of the old corps that their great 
commander was no longer in the saddle to lead them to victory ; 
and every circumstance appeared to furnish ground for their 
gloomy suspicions. At last the unfortunate discovery was made. 
One of the men caught a glimpse of the General, walking bare- 
headed in the moonlight, and suddenly exclaimed, " in the most 
pitiful tone," says an eye-witness : " Great God ! that is General 
Jackson ! " 

An evasive reply was made to these words, indicating that 
the man was mistaken ; and he gazed at the officer with a look 
of blank astonishment and doubt, but passed on without further 
words. 

All this occurred before Jackson had been able to drag him- 
self more than twenty steps. At the point, however, which the 
party had now reached, they found the litter hurried forward by 
Captain Leigh ; and as the General's strength was completely 
exhausted, he was placed upon it, and borne off by Captain 
Leigh, Lieutenant Smith, and two men of the ambulance corps. 
The rest of the party walked on each side, leading the horses. 

The litter had scarcely begun to move, when the fire of the 
enemy's artillery became frightful. The ridge in front of Chan- 
cellorsville resembled the crater of a volcano vomiting forth fire 
and iron. A hurricane of shell and canister swept the road as 
with the besom of destruction ; and the broken ranks, riderless 
horses, and wUd confusion made up a scene of tumult which was 
enough to try the stoutest nerves. The enemy had probably 
understood that some cause of confusion had arisen in the Con- 



42 G LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

federate ranks, or suspected that another attack was about tc 
commence, and they directed upon the road over wliich the 
►Southern forces were compelled to advance, the concentrated fire 
of their heaviest artillery. A storm of grape tore through the 
trees and along the road, mowing down the boughs, and striking 
fire from the stones of the turnpike ; and for a moment the 
Southern line was checked and throAvn into the utmost disorder. 
By this fire General Hill, General Pender, Colonel Crutchfield, 
Jackson's chief of artillery, and Major Rogers, of artillery, also 
of Jackson's staff, were wounded, and one of the men of the am- 
bulance corps carrying the litter of the wounded General, was 
shot through both arms, and dropped his burden. His companion 
did likewise, hastily flying from the dangerous locality, and but 
for Captain Leigh, who caught the handle of the litter, it would 
have fallen to the ground. Lieutenant Smith had been leading 
his own and the General's horse, but the animals now broke 
away from him, in imcontrollable terror, and the tremendous 
fire scattered the rest of the party in every direction for 
shelter. 

Under these circumstances the litter was lowered into the 
road, and the ofiicers lay down by it to protect themselves in 
some degree from the merciless hurricane of grape and canister 
which whistled through the air, and " struck myriads of sparks 
from the flinty stone of the roadside." Jackson raised himself 
upon his elbow and attempted to get up, but Lieutenant Smith 
threw his arm across the General's breast and compelled him to 
desist. They lay in this manner for some minutes without mov- 
ing, and in the midst of the most terrific confusion. " So far as 
I could see into our lines," says one of the party, " men and 
horses were struggling with a most terrible death." A few 
minutes before, the road had been crowded, declares another, 
and now no man or beast was visible except those writhing in 
the agonies of death. The wounded soldier and his companions 
were the sole living human beings upon the gloomy scene. 

In a little while the fire of canister veered around to the 
opposite side ; and although the enemy continued to direct a hot 



' CHANCELL0E8VILLE. 427 

fire of shell down the road, Jackson rose to his feet, leaning 
upon Lieutenants Smith and Morrison, the latter having rejoined 
the party, and followed by Captain Leigh bearing the litter 
which he probably foresaw would soon again be needed, the 
General turned aside from the road which was again filling with 
infantry and artUlery, and struck into the woods. Here he 
dragged himself along with painful difficulty, passing lines of 
infantry lying upon their faces. He was moving slowly through 
the tangled undergrowth by the roadside, when General Pender, 
who had been only slightly wounded, recognized Lieutenant 
Smith, and asked " who it was that was wounded." Lieutenant 
Smith replied evasively, " A Confederate ofiicer," but as they 
came nearer in the moonlight, General Pender recognized his 
commander. 

" Ah ! General," he said, " I am sorry to see you have 
been wounded. The lines here are so much broken that I fear 
we wiQ have to fall back." 

Although greatly exhausted and almost fainting from his 
wound, Jackson exhibited at this moment the old martial fire 
of which nothing could deprive him. He raised his drooping 
head, and with a flash of the eye exclaimed : 

" You must hold your ground. General Pender ! You must 
hold your ground, sir ! " 

This was the last order given by Jackson on the field. His 
strength was now completely exhausted, and he asked to be per- 
mitted to lie down upon the ground. But to this his escort 
would not consent. The fire of the enemy's artillery was still 
exceedingly hot, and as an advance of their infantry was mo- 
mentarily expected, it was necessary to move on. The litter 
brought on by Captain Leigh was now again put in requisition ; 
the fainting General was laid upon it ; and some men having 
been procured to carry the litter, the whole party continued to 
move through the tangled wood in the direction of Melzi Chan- 
cellor's. So dense was the undergrowth, and the ground so difii- 
cult, that their progress was slow and painful. An accident 
which happened to one o^ the litter-bearers, was the occasion of 



428 LITE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

more pain to the wounded man than the injuries which he had 
received from the bullets. One of the men caught his foot in a 
grapevine, stumbled, and let go the handle of the litter, which 
descended heavily to the ground. Jackson fell upon his left 
shoulder, where the bone had been shattered, and his agony 
must have been extreme. " For the first time," says one of the 
party, " he groaned, and most piteously." 

He was raised from the ground, and a beam of moonlight 
passing through the dense foliage overhead, revealed the coun- 
tenance of the soldier, pale, exhausted, with closed eyes — his 
breast covered with blood, and rising and falling with his pain- 
ful breathing. Those around him now feared that the great loss 
of blood had deprived him of his small remaining strength, and 
that his life was slowly ebbing away. "WHiat a death to die ! 
All around him was the dense and tangled wood, only half illu- 
minated by the struggling moonbeams — above him burst the 
shell of the enemy, exploding, says an officer, " like showers 
of falling stars ; " and when the firing lulled for a moment, they 
heard the melancholy cry of the whippoorwill, lost in the thicket. 
In this strange wilderness the man of Port Republic and Ma- 
nassas, who had led so many desperate charges, seemed about to 
close his eyes and die in the night, far from home and kindred, 
and watched over by a few friends only whom Providence had 
sent to his assistance. 

But such was not to be the termination of his career. When 
asked by one of the party whether he was much hurt, he opened 
his eyes, and said quietly, without further exhibition of pain : 

" No, my friend, don't trouble yourself about me," 

The litter was then again raised upon the shoulders of the 
men, and the party continued their way. The ground now be- 
came still more difficult, and finding further progress through 
the wood utterly impracticable, they turned to the left, reached 
the road, and pressing into service new reliefs of bearers, made 
their way to a point on the road where a solitary ambulance was 
standing. In this ambulance Colonel Crutchficld and Major 
Rogers had been placed when wounded. Although badly 



THE EESULT OF JACKSOn's MOVEMENT, 429 

hurt, the letter insisted upon being taken out, to make room for 
the General, and Jackson was laid in his place. 

The Genei*al repeatedly asked for some spirits during his 
progress to the rear, and this was now obtained. It sensibly 
relieved him, and, reaching Melzi Chancellor's, he found Dr. 
McGuire, his chief surgeon. 

From Melzi Chancellor's he was taken to the hospital at 
Wilderness Run, at the intersection of the old turnpike and 
Germanna plank road, five miles west of Chancellorsville.* 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 

THE RESULT OF JACKSON'S MOVEMENT. 

The decisive engagement which we have attempted to de- 
scribe should properly be called the battle of the Wilderness, to 
distinguish it from the battle of Chancellorsville, which occurred 
on the next day. We have, nevertheless, acquiesced in the pop- 
ular decision, which has given the latter name to the battles 
both of Saturday and Sunday ; and now proceed briefly to sum 
up the exciting incidents which- terminated the great struggle, 
before returning to the proper theme of these pages. 

When Jackson and ELill were both wounded and forced to 
retire from the field, a member of General Hill's staff was de- 
spatched to summon General Stuart, who had gone with his 
cavalry to hold the road to Ely's ford. As soon as he arrived, 
the command of the corps, which had temporarily devolved upon 
General Rodes, was formally turned over to him by General 
Hill, who was still upon the field, and he proceeded to make 

* The foregoing narrative is based upon minute and most interesting MS. 
statements from Captain R. E. Wilbourn and Lieutenant J. P. Smith, of the 
General's stafif, and a letter of Captain B. W. Leigh, serving on General HiU's 
staff, which will be found in the Appendix to this volume. These details are 
now for the first time pubUshed. 



430 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

instant preparations for a renewal of the attack. Ignorant in a 
great measure of the enemy's position, and summoned thus to 
take command in the darkness, General Stuart requested Major 
Pendleton to go to General Jackson and ask what his disposi- 
tions and plans were, as he " knew that what General Jackson 
had designed was the veiy best that could be done." When this 
message was delivered to the wounded soldier at Wilderness 
Run, he replied : " Go back to General Stuart and tell him to 
act upon his OAvn judgment, and do what he thinks best ; I have 
implicit confidence in him." * 

In consequence of the recent attack upon the Confederate 
right, and the confusion of the troops which had fired into each 
other several times, mistaking each other for the enemy, Gen- 
eral Stuart decided not to hazard a night attack, and addressed 
himself energetically to the task of preparing for an assault 
upon the Federal position at dawn next day. Riding rapidly 
along the lines, he placed each in position, enjoined silence, and 
made every disposition for a move at daylight. A writer in one 
of the journals describes the picturesque appearance of the Gen- 
eral as he thus moved rapidly to and fro, his drawn sabre gleam- 
ing in the moonlight, his words of good cheer inspiring the men 
of Jackson with new ardor for the obstinate struggle which was 
still before them. 

The corps was drawn up in three lines — Hill's division con- 
stituting the first, Colston's the second, and Rodes' the third. 
At dawn every preparation was made ; the troops were eager 
for the encounter ; and as the sun rose splendidly, driving away 
the mists which enveloped the wild landscape. General Stuart 
ordei'ed his three lines to advance upon the enemy. The men 
bore steadily down upon the Federal position, Avhich was not 
half a mile in front, and soon the forest echoed with the crash 
of musketry and artillery. With a quick eye General Stuart 
had seen that the ridge upon the right of his line was an admi- 

* This statement is made upon the authority of Colonel A. S. Pendleton, 
Jackson's adjutant-general, who recalled the exact words used by General 
Jackson. 



THE EESULT OF JACKSOn's MOVEMENT. 431 

rable position for artUlerj, and, massing rapidly upon this emi- 
nence thirty pieces, he opened a heavy enfilading fire upon the 
Federal batteries. The eflfect was important, the fire sweeping 
every thing before it, and di'iving the enemy still further from 
the plank road beyond Chancellorsville toward the river. 

Met thus by this heavy and damaging fire from the Confed- 
erate right, the Federal lines swung round and made a vigorous 
assault upon their left. To repulse this attack, Colston's divi- 
sion, which had been ordered to the right, was rapidly moved to 
the left, and the three lines became merged into one line of bat- 
tle, which was soon engaged in a bloody contest with the heavy 
columns of the enemy, fighting now with the energy of despair. 
General Hooker had contracted his lines, massed his forces for 
a last struggle ; and at this critical moment the ammunition of a 
considerable portion of the Southern troops, in consequence of 
the hot action on the night before, was exhausted. 

Every available regiment was immediately sent to the point ; 
the troops were ordered to hold tlie ground at all hazards, if ne- 
cessary with the bayonet, and the enemy were held in check. 
The right of the line had now swung round, and about eight 
o'clock the works of the enemy were stormed by the combined 
forces of the Confederates, Stuart's right having connected with 
Anderson's left, where General Lee commanded in person. 
Three times they were won and lost, amid a deafening roar of 
artillery and musketry. Nothing, however, availed to check the 
Southern troops. The artillery was advanced ; the infantry 
made their way over every obstacle, and at ten o'clock Chan- 
cellorsville was in General Lee's possession. 

The scene presented at this moment was one of overpower- 
ing horror and magnificence. In their fiery path the shells had 
set the woods on fire, and the forest was roaring and craclding 
above the countless wounded, buried in their depths, and thus 
exposed to the most agonizing of all deaths. Over the bleeding 
bodies soared the inexorable flames ; and in many instances the 
fallen, half torn to pieces by shell, or pierced with balls, found 
their expiring moments hastened by the cruel tongues of fire. 



432 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

An inexpressible horror enveloped the scene, and in front of all 
rose the Chancellorsville house, riddled with cannon shot, and 
presenting one huge mass of flame. It had been set on fire by 
shell, and now resembled the crater of a volcano, from which 
rose jets of flame and lurid smoke, mingling with the rest, and 
overshadowing the whole landscape with its gloomy mantle. 

Such is a brief outline of this sanguinary conflict. The 
Confederate troops never fought with more resolution, aud al- 
though they were gallantly met they carried the day. A North- 
ern Avi'iter describing the Southern troops says : 

" From the large brick house, which gives the name to this 
vicinity, the enemy could be seen sweeping slowly, but confi- 
dently, determinedly, and surely, through the clearings which 
extended in front. Nothing could excite more admiration for 
the best qualities of the veteran soldier than the manner in 
which the enemy swept out, as they moved steadily onward, 
the forces which were opposed to them. We say it reluctantly, 
and for the first time, that the enemy have shown the finest 
qualities, and we acknowledge, on this occasion, their superior- 
ity in the open field to our own men. 

'' They delivered their fire with precision, and were appar- 
ently inflexible and immovable under the storm of bullets and 
shell which they were constantly receiving. Coming to a 
piece of timber, which was occupied by a division of our own 
men, half the number were detailed to clear the woods. It 
seemed certain that here they would be repulsed, but they 
marched right through the wood, driving our own soldiers out, 
who delivei'cd their fire aud fell back, halted again, fired and 
fell back as before, seeming to concede to the enemy, as a mat- 
ter of course, the superiority which they evidently felt them- 
selves. Our o\vn men fought well. There was no lack of cour- 
age, but an evident feeling, apparently the result of having been 
so often whipped, or of having witnessed the rout on the night 
previous, that they were destined to be beaten, and the only 
thing for them to do was to fire and retreat. The enemy felt 
confident that they were to be victorious, aud our men had, from 



THE EESULT OF JACKSOn's MOVEMENT. 433 

some occasion, imbibed tbe same impression. Our men showed 
lack of earnestness and enthusiasm, but no want of courage. 
All that they needed was the inspiration of a series of victories 
to look back upon, and an earnestness and confidence in the suc- 
cess of the cause for which they were fighting. Thus ended 
the Sabbath and another chapter in the series of our dis- 
asters." 

On the afternoon of Sunday, May 3d, Geueral Lee was in 
line of battle along the plank road with his centre at Chancel- 
lorsville. A final advance was just on the point of being made 
when intelligence arrived that General Sedgwick had recrossed 
into Fredericksburg, stormed Marye's hill, captured a portion of 
the Confederate force there, and was now advancing up the main 
road to form a junction with General Hooker at Chancellorsville. 
This movement of so heavy a force against his flank made it 
necessary for General Lee to delay his advance upon General 
Hooker ; and the divisions of Anderson and McLaws were sent 
to meet Sedgwick. At Salem Church, about five miles from 
Fredericksburg, they encountered Barksdale and Wilcox falling 
back before the enemy, who pressed them hotly ; and the reen- 
forcements just came in time. General Sedgwick Avas held in 
check until night ; and on the next morning General Lee, who 
had arrived during the night, vigorously attacked him and drove 
him back in confusion on Banks' ford. Pie was pursued to that 
point, and barely had time to cross on his pontoons when the 
Confederate artillery opened upon him. 

On Tuesday, the 5th, McLaws' division was sent toward 
United States ford, and General Lee returned with Anderson to 
Chancellorsville to attack Geueral Hooker. " By this time," 
says a Northern writer, " the aspect of affairs had become ex- 
ceedingly dark." The prospect was indeed gloomy. General 
Hooker had been defeated in every struggle since his appearance 
on the southern shores of the Eapjoahannock ; had been driven 
from Chancellorsville, forced back upon the river — and on Tues 
day afternoon it commenced raining. 

When General Lee advanced on Wednesday morning his ad- 
28 



434: LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

versary Lad disappeared. He had commeuced the movement as 
far back as Sunday night ; on Monday night all his trains and 
baggage were across, and on Tuesday night the infantry and ar- 
tillery were moved to the Northern bank, heavy layers of pine 
boughs having been laid upon the pontoons to deaden the sound 
of the wheels. 

To all who witnessed these events, the movement of General 
Hooker meant enforced retreat He styled it "withdrawing," 
and issued a " congratulatory order" to his troops, which is here 
recorded. 

General Order Xo. 49. 

Headquarters Army of the Potomac, May 6, 1863. 

Tlie Major-Gencral commanding tenders to this army big congi-atulations 
on its achievements of the last seven days. If it has not accomplished all 
that was expected, the reasons are well known to the army. It is sufficient 
to say they were of a character not to be foreseen or prevented by human sa- 
gacity or resources. 

In withdrawing from the south bank of the Rappahannock before deliver- 
ing a general battle to our advesraries, the army has given renewed evidence 
of its confidence in itself and its fideUty to the principles it represents. 

By fighting 'at a disadvantage we would have been recreant to our trust, to 
ourselveij to our cause, and to our country. Profoundly loyal, and conscious 
of its strength, the Army of the Potomac will give or decline battle whenever 
its interests or honor may command it. 

By the celerity and secrecy of our movements, our advance and passage 
of the river were undisputed, and, on our withdrawal, not a rebel dared to fol- 
low us. The events of the last week may well cause the heart of every oflacer 
and soldier of the army to swell with pride. 

We have added new laurels to our former renown. We have made long 
marches, crossed rivers, surprised the enemy in his intrcnchments ; and when- 
ever we have fought, we have inflicted heavier blows than those we have re- 
ceived. 

We have taken from the enemy 5,000 prisoners and 15 colors, captured 7 
pieces of artillery, and placed hors du combat 18,000 of our foe's chosen 
troops. 

We have destroyed his depots filled with vast amounts of stores, damaged 
his communications, captured prisoners within the fortifications of his capital, 
.and filled his country with fear and consternation. 

We have no other resret than that caused bv the loss of our brave com 



THE EESULT OF JACKSOn's MOVEMENT. 435 

panions ; and in this we are consoled by the conviction that they have fallen 
in the holiest cause ever submitted to the arbitration of battle. 

By command of Major-General HOOKER, 
S. WiLLiAHS, Assistant Adjutant-General. 

General Lee's order was as follows : 

General Order No. 5 

Headquaeters Army of Northern Virginia, May 7, 1863. 

With heartfelt gratification the General commanding expresses to the ar- 
my his sense of the heroic conduct displayed by officers and men during the 
arduous operations in which they have just been engaged. 

Under trying vicissitudes of heat and storm you attacked the enemy, 
strongly intrenched in the depths of a tangled wilderness, and again on the 
hiUs of Fredericksburg, fifteen miles distant, and by the valor that has tri- 
umphed on so many fields, forced him once more to seek safety beyond the 
Rappahannock. While this glorious victory entitles you to the praise and 
gratitude of the nation, we are especially called upon to return our grateful 
thanks to the only Giver of victory, for the signal deUverance He has 
wrought. 

It is therefore earnestly recommended that the troops unite on Sunday 
next, in ascribing unto the Lord of Hosts the glory due imto His name. 

Let us not forget in our rejoicing the brave soldiers who have fallen in 
defence of their country ; and, while we mourn their loss, let us resolve to 
emulate their noble example. 

The army and the country alike lament the absence for a time of one to 
whose bravery, energy, and skill they are so much indebted for success. 

The following letter from the President of the Confederate States is com- 
municated to the army as an expression of his appreciation of their success : 

" I have received your despatch, and reverently unite with you in giving 
praise to God for the success with which he has crowned our arms. In the 
name of the people, I offer my cordial thanks to yourself and the troops under 
your command, for this addition to the unprecedented series of great victories 
which our army has achieved. The universal rejoicing produced by this hap- 
py result will be mingled with a general regret for the good and the brave 
who are numbered among the killed and the wounded." 

R. E. LEE, General. 

The trenchant criticism of a Northern journal upon General 
Hooker's whole campaign will appropriately conclude our brief 
outline. This, it must be remembered, is a Federal critique, 



436 LIFE OF STOXEWALL JACKSON. 

not Confederate ; and if somewhat bitter, will not be found 
unfair. 

" In view," says this writer, " of the pleasing delusions which 
the Administration is now endeavoring to propagate, it would be 
well, perhaps, to outline some of the leading facts in this short 
campaign, from which the reader can draw his own moral : 

" 1. It is not true that General Lee was surprised or deceived 
by General Hooker's movement across the Rappahannock. From 
the Richmond papers of last Saturday it is clear that the Con- 
federate military leaders understood it perfectly, and deliberately 
allowed our army to cross, confident of theii* ability to defeat, if 
not destroy it. Forney, in the Philadelphia ' Press,' states that 
General Hooker was induced to cross by the assurances of his 
spies and . scouts that the only army to oppose him was one of 
40,000 under General Jackson, General Lee being sick and his 
army scattered. The Baltimore secessionists had the same re- 
port, and believed it. General Hooker, therefore, at the very 
start, was the deceived party, and walked straight into the trap 
prepared for him. 

" 2. The great cavalry raid, which was an entire success, did 
General Hooker no good, because it did not precede, instead of 
accompanying his movements. General Lee's recuforcements 
had all arrived before the destruction of the railroads and 
bridges. To him this is now only a temporary inconvenience. 
Had General Hooker retained his cavalry with his army, it 
would have been far better for him. He could have captured 
several thousand more prisoners when Fredericksburg was 
taken, and, more than all, could have pi-evented General Jack- 
son's surprise of his flank and rear. They might have changed 
the complexion of the fight. 

" 3. General Hooker's division of his army was as disas- 
trous in this instance as have been all such in former military 
history. It is known that General Halleck utterly disapproved 
of this dispersion of the Union forces, and the result proved that 
in this case, at least, he was right. If General Lee had fur- 
nished General Hooker with a plan, it could not have been more 



THE EESULT OF JACKSOn's MOVEMENT. 437 

to his liking. He first hurled all his forces upon General Hooker 
and beat him ; this was on Saturday and Sunday, and then on 
Monday he repossessed the heights of Fredericksburg, and drove 
General Sedgwick across the river, with the loss of one-third of 
his force. Thus General Lee, with one great army, beat two 
smaller armies in detail. 

" 4. The battles of Saturday and Sunday were indispvitable 
rebel victories, as the enemy's attack upon General Sedgwick on 
Monday proved. The latter was defeated almost before General 
Hooker's eyes, and the latter could not even make a diversion to 
save him. Generals Lee and Jackson drove our army steadily 
from point to point until it was crowded back upon the south 
bank of the river. Our artillery, which, according to the rebel 
accounts, was splendidly served, no doubt saved what remained 
of the army. 

"5. The retreat across the river, according to General Lee's 
despatch to Jeff. Davis, commenced on Sunday night, and was 
in consequence of his signal victory. The Administration's 
statement is that it was commenced on Tuesday night, simply 
as a matter of precaution on account of the storm and the rising 
stream. General Lee's account has all the known facts and the 
probabilities on its side. The Union correspondents all agree 
that the stores and baggage were moved to the north bank on 
Monday, leaving nothing but the artillery and infantry to cross 
on Tuesday. The fierce storm of that day probably saved the 
bulk of our army, which was passed over at night. 

"6. General Hooker's statement of his losses reads as if it 
was made by General "Wadsworth. He says his total loss in 
killed, wounded, and missing will not be more than 10,000 
men. If this be true, there are several circumstances that need 
explaining badly. General Sedgwick alone, all the accounts 
agree, lost one-thu'd his force, or about 6,000 men; but call it 
6,000. The capture of Fredericksburg, and the storming of the 
heights in its rear on Sundays lost us 800 men in killed and 
wounded. This would leave but little over 4,000 to have been 
killed, wounded, and captured in the tremendous battles of Sat. 



438 LIFE OF STOXEWALL JACKSON. 

urday aud Sunday, when, at the very least, 150,000 men met in 
deadly conflict. If General Hooker and General Lee commanded 
Chinese armies, this might have been possible ; but as they were 
Americans on both sides, it is simply incredible. The rout of 
the 11th Corps, and the driving back of our whole lines for two 
days in succession, must have cost us — we will not say how 
many men, but certainly more than 4,000. Judged by the other 
battles of the war, this fight ought to have put 25,000 men Jiors 
du combat. General Hooker may be right in his estimate, but 
if he is, the fighting on both sides was disgraceful. 

" But the theme is too painful to dwell upon. The whole 
management of the campaign shows a painful lack both of ca- 
pacity and true courage, of mental force and a high sense of 
honor. Our rulers are alike incapable and unveracious." 

Such was the epitaph of General Hooker ! 



CHAPTER XXXVni. 

• " IT IS ALL RIGHT." 

All day long on Sunday, while the great conflict was roar- 
ing around Chancellorsville, Jackson lay at "Wilderness Rim, 
faint, motionless, but thrilling at this sound so long familiar to 
his ears. 

Never before had the illustrious soldier been compelled to 
retire from the field — for, at Manassas, though wounded, he still 
retained command of his brigade ; and it must have stirred his 
soul to its depths to find himself thus powerless as an infant 
while the great battle, big with weal or woe for his country, was 
raging furiously a few miles distant from the couch on which 
he lay. 

But there was no choice left him. The fatal balls had toru 
through flesh and muscle, through bone and artery. His life 
was ebbing slowly ; and he could only submit his spirit humbly 



"it is all eight." 439 

to the decree of that God Avho bad never deserted liim, and to 
whose mysterious will he bowed with simple, childlike resig- 
nation. 

He had been carried, as we have said, to the field hospital at 
"Wilderness Run, about five miles west of the battle-field ; and 
here he was placed in a tent in rear of the tavern at that point, 
under a stunted tree, which is still exhibited to the visitor. He 
had lost so much blood in that painful progress from the front, 
borne on a litter every moment jolting and aggravating thus the 
extent of his injuries, that upon arriving at Wilderness Run he 
was almost pulseless. The face from which his men had so 
often gathered the inspiration of victory, was calm and pale ; the 
arm which had risen reverently aloft in so many scenes of blood 
and death was paralyzed, and lay as helpless as an infant's by 
his side ; the great form which had towered in the front of bat- 
tle was stretched, drained of strength and motion, on the bed of 
a hospital. 

A thorough examination was speedily made of the soldier's 
wounds. They were found to be very serious ; and the result of 
a consultation between Drs. McGuire, Black, Coleman, and 
Walls, was that amputation of the arm should be immediately 
resorted to. 

This decision of the surgeons was guardedly communicated 
to him. He was asked : "If we find amputation necessary, \ 

shall it be done at once ? " He replied with alacrity and that 
disregard of pain which was a part of his manly spirit : 

" Yes, certainly ! Dr. McGuire, do for me whatever you 
think right." 

Preparations were accordingly made for performing the oper- 
ation, and the patient having been put under the influence of 
chloroform, his arm was taken off without subjecting him, appar- 
ently, to very great pain. He slept well after the operation, 
and when he awoke asked for Mrs. Jackson, and requested that 
she might be sent for. 

His thoughts then turned to the battle which was at the time • 
in progress, and he seemed to have no doubt that it would result 



440 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

in victory for the Confederates. He spoke of the attack which 
he had made on the preceding eveniujr, and said with a glow of 
martial ardor and a proud smile : " If I had not been wounded, 
or had had one hour more of daylight, I would have cut off the 
enemy from the road to United States ford ; we would have had 
them entirely surrounded, and they would have been obliged to 
surrender or cut their way out — they had no other alternative. 
My troops may sometimes fail in driving an enemy from a posi- 
tion ; but the enemy always fails to drive my men from a 
position." 

He did not complain of his wounds, and never referred to 
them unless a direct question was addressed to him on the sub- 
ject by some one. He spoke, however, of the fall from the 
litter as he was being borne from the field ; and, although no 
contusion or abrasion was perceptible from this accident, de- 
clared that it had done him serious injury. 

About this time he had the satisfaction of receiving from the 
commander whom he loved and admired so warmly, this touch- 
ing evidence of his sympathy : 

" I have just ijeceived your note, informing me that you 
were wounded. I cannot express my regret at the occurrence. 
Could I have directed events, I should have chosen, for the good 
of the country, to have been disabled in your stead. I con- 
gratulate you on the victory which is due to your skill and 
energy." 

This recognition from his commanding general of the loss 
which the cause had sustained when he was wounded, proved 
grateful to his feelings ; but upon reading it he reverently said : 
" General Lee should give the glory to God." 

The regret of General Lee at this deplorable event was in- 
deed poignant. The soul of the gi-eat commander was moved 
to its depths ; and he who had so long learned to conceal emo- 
tion, could not control his anguish. " Jackson will not — he can- 
not die ! " General Lee exclaimed, in a broken voice, and wav- 
ing every one from him with his hand — " he cannot die ! " 

But the hours were hastening on — Sunday passed ; the 



"it is all eight." 441 

wounded man sleeping well in tlie afternoon — and Monday 
came. His physicians now deemed it advisable to remove him 
to some point where he could be more quiet ; and, accordingly, 
he was carried to Mr. Chandler's, near Guinea's Depot, on the 
Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac Railroad, about eight 
miles fi'om Hamilton's crossing, where every arrangement was 
made to ensure his comfort and careful treatment. During the 
ride from the Wilderness to Guinea's he complained greatly of 
the heat of the day, and, in addition to the wet applications ap- 
plied to his wound, begged that a wet cloth might be laid upon 
his stomach. He declared that this gave him great relief. 

During the ride to Guinea's he had maintained his serene and 
cheerful bearing, and talked much in reference to the battle of 
Saturday. He spoke of the gallant beai-ing of General Rodes, 
and said that his commission as major-general ought to date 
from that day. In this the wishes of the dying soldier were com- 
plied with. 

He seemed also very anxious to hear all the particulars of 
the battle of Sunday. "When told of the charge of his old Stone- 
wall Brigade, and how, led by Stuart in person, and shouting, 
" Charge ! and remember Jackson ! " they pressed on over every 
obstacle, his breast heaved, the old martial light came to his 
face, and with deep emotion he exclaimed : 

" It was just like them ! it was just like them ! They are a 
noble body of men ! " 

He was very much affected at the intelligence of General Pax- 
ton's death, but seemed to derive a sorrowful satisfaction from 
the glories which his old command had won. He asked after 
every one whom he knew, and said : 

" The men who Kve through this war will be proud to say 
' I was one of the Stonewall Brigade ' to their children." 

"With that modesty, however, which never left him, he has- 
tened to guai'd this declaration from the appearance of egotism, 
and added that the name of " Stone waU " did not belong to him, 
but to his brigade. 

His mind continued to dwell continually upon religious sub- 



442 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

jects, and his views of Providential interposition were constantly 
present Avith him. Looking at his mutilated arm, he said : 

" Many people would regard this as a great misfortune. I 
regard it as one of the great blessings of my life." 

An officer long associated with him said : 

" ' All things Avork together for good to those that love 
God.' " 

" Yes, yes ! " was the earnest reply, " that's it ! " 

Speculating with this officer upon the question whether those 
mu'aculously cm'ed of the palsy by our Saviour ever had a re- 
turn of the disease, he said with great feeling : 

" I do not thiuk it could have returned, for the power was too 
great. The poor paralytic could never again shake with the 
palsy. Oh, for infinite power ! " 

On Monday night he slept well, and seemed to have recov- 
ered in a great measure from the nervous shock which he had 
received from his injuries. His spirits rose, and on Tuesday 
morning he ate with relish, and seemed to look forward to his 
recovery as speedy and certain. He was still somewhat annoyed 
by the cold which he had caught on the niglit of the 1st of May, 
by returning the cape spread over him by the young member of 
his staff; but to this he attached no importance. 

He said to his physician : " Can you tell me, from the ap- 
pearance of my wounds, how long I will be kept from the 
field?" and when told that they were doing remarkably well, he 
exhibited very great satisfaction. He had no pain in the side, 
and thought himself well enough to see and converse with his 
staff; but he was advised against this by his attendants, and did 
not persist. 

On "Wednesday, his wounds continued to look remarkably 
well, and he w^as now regarded as so far out of danger, that prep- 
arations were made to carry him by railroad to Richmond. A 
rain, however, which had set in, prevented tliis design, and ho 
was not removed. On this night, while Dr. McGuire, who liad 
not closed his eyes for three nights, was snatching a little rest, 
the General complained of nausea, and ordered his body servant. 



"it is all eight." 443 

Jim, t-) place a wet towel on liis stomach. This was done, but 
with bad results. The surgeon was waked by Jim at daylight, 
and informed that his master was sufTering very much. The 
pain was in the right side, and was due partly to the heavy fall 
from the litter while being borne from the battle-field, and partly 
to incipient pneumonia, which now began to develop itself. 

This Avas on the morning of Thursday, and later in the day 
Mrs. Jackson arrived. The presence of his wife seemed to afford 
the General great joy, and thenceforth she nursed him to the 
moment of his death. 

The remainder of the sorrowful record will not fill much 
space, or occupy the attention of the reader many moments. 
The Supreme Ruler of the destinies of humanity had decreed 
that this pure and majestic spirit should pass from earth to a hap- 
pier and more peaceful realm. The hours of the great soldier were 
numbered ; he had fought his last battle, finished his work, and 
now was about to receive that crown laid up for those who be- 
lieve in Plim who governs all things. 

Gn Thursday evening all pain had ceased, but a mortal pros- 
tration came on, from which he never recovered. He still con- 
versed feebly, and again said : 

" I consider these wounds a blessing ; they were given me for 
some good and wise purpose, and I would not part with them if 
I could." 

From this time he continued to sink, and on Sunday morning 
it was obvious that he could only live a few hours longer. His 
mind was still clear, however, and he asked Major Pendleton, his 
Adjutant-General, " who was preaching at headquarters on that 
day ? " Mrs. Jackson was with him dui-ing his last moments, 
and conversed with him fully and freely. 

" I know you would gladly give your life for me," he said, 
" but I am perfectly resigned. Do not be sad, I hope I shall re- 
cover. Pray for me, but always remember in your prayers to 
use the petition, ' TJiy Avill be done.' " 

In the event of his death, he advised her to return to hei 
father's home, and said : 



A 



444 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

" Yon have a kind, good father, but there is no one so kind 
and good as your Heavenly Father." 

His manner to every one had become full of gentleness and 
tenderness. The great spirit was fading slowly from the world, 
like a sua unobscured by clouds or vapors. The prospect of death 
produced no change in him. 

"It will be infinite gain," he said, "to be translated to 
heaven, and be with Jesus." 

When his wife announced to him finally with tears that his 
last moments were approaching, he murmured calmly : 

" Very good, very good ; it is all right." 

Apprised thus that his final moment was approaching, he 
sent kind messages to all his friends, the Generals and others ; 
taking thus his leave of earth, and sending his august farewells 
to those with whom he had fought upon so many bloody battle- 
fields. 

He expressed a wish that he might be buried in " Lexington, 
in the Valley of Virginia " — and then his mind began to wander. 
That delirium which seizes upon the most powerful organizations, 
the most vigorous brains, at the mysterious moment when the 
last sands are falling from the hour-glass, began to affect him. 

His thoughts reverted to the battle-field of Saturday, and he 
exclaimed at intervals : 

" Order A. P. Hill to prepare for action." 

" Pass the infantry to the front ! " 

" Tell Major Hawks to send forward provisions to the men !" 

He evidently believed himself once more amid the forests of 
the Wilderness, and about to advance with his great corps upon 
the enemy. 

This martial agitation soon, hoAvever, passed away. His ex- 
citement disappeared, his features again became serene, and he 
murmured with a smile : 

" Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the 
trees ! " 

The moment had indeed arrived when the illustrious leader 
was about to pass the dark river which separates two worlds, 



Jackson's kemaests taken to Lexington. 445 

and rest under the shade of the Tree of Life. From this time 
he continued gradually to sink, and at fifteen minutes past three 
in the afternoon, on Sunday, the 10th of May, he peacefully 
expired. 

Such "was the death of Jackson. He who had passed through 
a thousand scenes of carnage, expired upon his bed, surrounded 
by weeping friends, who were taught by that august spectacle 
how a Christian soldier can die. 



CHAPTER XXXIX. 

Jackson's eemains taken to Lexington. 

The incidents which accompanied the reception of the illus- 
trious soldier's body in Richmond and Lexington wiU terminate 
our narrative. 

Honors were offered to him in all parts of the country, and 
the reader will peruse with interest these two which we have se- 
lected from the number. General Lee wrote : 

" With deep grief the Commanding General announces to the 
army the death of Lieutenant-Genera 1 Jackson, who expired on 
the 9th, at 3.15 p. m. The daring, skUl, and energy of this great 
and good soldier, by a decree of an aU-wise Providence, are now 
lost to us. But while we mourn his death, we feel that his spirit 
lives, and wiU inspire the whole army with his indomitable 
courage and unshaken confidence in God as our hope and 
strength. 

" Let his name be a watchword for his corps, who have fol- 
lowed him to victory on so many fields. Let officers and soldiers 
imitate his invincible determination to do every thing in the de- 
fence of our beloved country." 

General Beauregard, commanding at Charleston, and long 
the warm friend of the Virginian, wrote : 

"The illustrious soldier, Lieutenant-General Thomas J, 



440 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

Jackson, is dead. The memory of liis bigli worth, conspicuous 
virtues, and momentous services will be treasured in the heart, 
and excite the pride of his country to all time. ITis renown is 
already identified "with our revolution ; and even our enemy ad- 
mits his unselfish devotion to our cause, and admires his eminent 
qualities. 

" The Commanding Generals of the First Military District 
and of the District of Georgia, on the day following the receipt 
of this order, Avill cause a gun to be fired every half hour, be- 
ginning at sunrise and ending at sunset ; and the flags of every 
post in the department will be hoisted at half-mast in token of 
this national bereavement." 

The intelligence reached Richmond on the evening of the 
10th, and created profound depression among all classes of citi- 
zens. On the morning of the 11th it Avas announced that the 
remains of the soldier would reach Richmond that afternoon in a 
special train sent by the Governor of Virginia, and the Mayor 
of the city requested all persons to suspend business after ten 
o'clock in token of respect for the dead. All stores, workshops, 
the departments of Government, and all places in -which labor 
was performed were closed. Flags were suspended at half-mast, 
a deep silence reigned in the streets, and in spite of the intense 
heat large crowds remained for hours at the Fredericksburg 
depot, waiting for the arrival of the train. 

About four in the evening, amid a painful silence, only 
broken by the tolling of the bells, the train reached Richmond 
with its burden. The coffin Avas placed in a hearse, behind 
which was stationed the General's staif, and preceded by Gen- 
eral Elzey and his staff, the State Guard of Virginia, and two 
regiments of infantry, moved through crowds of citizens to the 
Governor's house. 

The body was laid in the receptiou-room of the mansion, the 
coffin-lid having been raised so as to show the person of the 
dead ; a wreath of laurel was laid upon the breast, and around 
the coffin was wrapped the snow-white banner of the Confederate 
States. 



Jackson's eemains takejst to lexej^oton. 447 

That banner had been just adopted, and had never yet been 
raised. It was thus first used to wrap the dead body of the 
man who had fought so well for the land over which it was to 
float. 

'" The face of the dead," says a writer in one of the journals, 
" displayed the same indomitable lines of firmness, with the long, 
slightly aquiline nose, and high forehead, of marble Avhiteness ; 
but the cheeks presented a deep pallor. The eyelids were firmly 
closed, the mouth natural, and the whole contour of the face 
composed, the full beard and mustache remaining. The body 
was dressed in a full citizen's suit, it being the object of his 
friends, and we doubt not the nation's wish, to preserve the 
uniform in which he fought and fell." 

During the evening a few friends and the officers of govern- 
ment were admitted, also some members of Jackson's old 
brigade. It is said that President Davis stood long by the body, 
gazed at the pallid face with deep emotion, and then turned 
away and left the house in silence. A more affecting incident 
was the appearance of an old soldier of the Stonewall Brigade. 
The veteran stood for some moments looking at the pale face of 
his General with tears in his eyes, then bending down pressed a 
kiss upon the lips, and slowly retired. 

During the night the body was embalmed, a plaster cast of 
the features taken, and the corpse was placed in a metallic 
coffin. On the next day a great and solemn pageant marked the 
universal sense of loss. 

A great procession was formed, and at the hour appointed 
the coffin was borne to the hearse ; a signal gun was fired from 
the equestrian statue of Washington on the square ; and to the 
solemn strains of the " Dead March in Saul," the procession 
began to move. The hearse was drawn by four white horses, 
and preceded by two regiments of Pickett's division and the State 
Guard of Virginia, with arms reversed, General Pickett and 
his staff, the Fayette artillery, and a squadron of cavalry. Be- 
hind came Generals Ewell, Winder, Churchill, Corse, Steuart, 
Kemper, Garnett, and Admiral Forrest — pall-bearers. These 



448 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

were followed by the horse of the dead soldier caparisoned for 
battle, and led by his body-servant ; his staff ; members of the 
Old Stonewall Brigade with sorrowful and downcast looks ; 
General Elzcy and his staff; and then a vast array of govern- 
ment officials, the President, members of the Cabinet, the 
Governor of Virginia, the city authorities, with the judges, 
citizens, and good people generally — a silent and sorrowful mul- 
titude. 

The procession moved do\^^l Governor's Street and up to the 
head of Main Street, whence it returned to the western gate of 
the Capitol Square, where a great concourse had assembled to 
see it enter. Sobs had accompanied it upon its way, the tears 
not only of women but of bearded men ; such public grief had 
not been displayed since the death of Washington. 

Thus amid tolling bells, the discharge of artillery at intervals, 
and the mournful strains of martial music, the long procession 
reached the Capitol Square. Here it halted, and the hearse 
moved to the western entrance of the capitol, accompanied only 
by the pall-bearers, general officers, and the public guard. In 
the midst of a great crowd of weeping women and children, 
with the thunder of artillery, and the mournful music of the 
bands filling the air, the coffin was then lifted from the hearse 
and borne into the capitol. The Hall of the House of Repre- 
sentatives had been draped in mourning, Confederate standards 
folded along the face of the galleries, and here in front of the 
speaker's chair, on a species of altar covered with white linen 
looped up with crape, the coffin was deposited. 

The face and bust were then imcovered, and the crowd was 
admitted to gaze upon the features. Throughout the afternoon 
multitudes continued to come and go, old men and youths, 
women and children — all taking a sorrowful look at the placid 
features of the illustrious dead. When night came, 20,000 per- 
sons had thus passed in front of the body. 

From the capitol the remains of Jackson were borne, under 
military escort, to Lexington, where they were received by 
General Smith, the corps of cadets, the professors, and a large 



Jackson's kemaests taken to lexestoton. . 449 

body of citizens. They were escorted in solemn procession to 
the barracks of the Institute, and deposited in the old lecture- 
room of the deceased. The room was just as he had left it two 
years before, as no one had occupied it during his absence ; but 
it had been draped in mourning. The coffin was placed in front 
of the dead man's favorite chair, and amid the roar of the old 
cadet battery, heard at intervals of half an hour throughout the 
day, the body of the soldier lay in state in the familiar hall. 

It was thus that he had returned to the beloved spot where 
he had passed so many happy hours in other years, and to which 
his thoughts went back in those last moments wben he mur- 
mured : 

" Bury me in Lexington, in the Yalley of Virginia ! " 

" Lexington ! " That town had witnessed the peaceful labors 
of the professor ; the calm researches of the quiet student ; the 
serene enjoyments of the good husband and friend. Thence he 
had departed to enter upon the career which was to make his 
name renowned forever in the annals of a tragic epoch — ^to 
crown him with glory and honor as the right arm and chief 
hope of a great people. He murmured " Lexington ! Lexing- 
ton ! " as the German exile murmurs " the Rhine ! the 
Ehine ! " 

" The Valley of Virginia ! " Those words too had, doubt- 
less, a magical influence upon the stern soul of the celebrated 
leader. They conjured up visions of his chief glories won upon 
that old familiar, long loved soil. They meant Kernstown ! 
McDowell ! "Winchester ! Cross Keys ! Port Republic ! There 
was scarce a foot of the great highways of that region but had 
been trodden by him and his soldiers ; scarce a mile over which 
he had not fought. There his steps had been clogged with 
battles, and almost every encounter was a victory. For that 
sacred earth he had fought so long and persistently ; thence he 
had so frequently driven the invaders ; every foot was dear to 
him from the mouth of the beautiful Shenandoah to its source ; 
and for its freedom he had cheerfully risked all that man pos- 
sesses. He had delivered that lovely land from all its foes ; 
29 



450 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

and, lying powei-less there near Fredericksburg, his heart turned 
fondly to the scene of his hajjpiness and his fame. In that earth 
which he had redeemed — the soil of the Valley of Virginia — he 
desired his ashes to repose. 

There they were accordingly deposited. Escorted by infan- 
try, cavalry, and artillery, and borne to the grave upon a caisson 
of the old cadet battery, as became the great artillerist, they 
were consigned to the beloved earth where reposed the bodies 
of his first wife and child. 

It is said that some loving hand planted on his grave a piece 
of laurel brought from the grave of Napoleon at St. Helena — 
thus connecting, as it were, by an invisible link, the man of 
Austerlitz with the victor of Port Republic and Chancellors- 
ville. 

Both returned in the moments of delirium to ttic battle-field ; 
but whilst Napoleon died with that fierce cry, " Tete d'Armee ! " 
upon his lips, Jackson fell asleep in a childlike dream of rivers 
and green trees. Napoleon trusted in his " Star " — Jackson in 
God. The former was a simple fatalist ; the motto of the Vir- 
ginian was, " Do your duty and trust to Providence." 

" It is all right," was the other motto of Jackson — and he 
clung to it even in death. Let us, too, trust that all is well, and 
look beyond the storm with serene trust in Him who rules the 
destinies of men and nations. 



CHAPTER XL. 

JACKSON THE SOLDIER AND THE MAN. 

We have presented in the foregoing pages as truthtul a record 
of the events of Jackson's career, as the material at our com- 
mand permitted. It is impossible that the main occurrences 
have not been understood, or that the reader has not formed a 
tolerably clear idea of the military and personal traits of the iu- 



JACKSON THE SOLDIER AND THE MAN. 451 

dividual. From the narrative, better than from any comment, 
those characteristics will be deduced ; but a rapid summary 
of Jackson's traits as a soldier and a man may interest some 
readers, and to this we now proceed. Eulogy is easy in pres- 
ence of this great career ; but let us dismiss all such unprofitable 
work, and rationally inquire what endowments went to accom- 
plish the successes of the soldier. 

Jackson was a born leader, and had, underlying all, that su- 
preme spirit of combativeness which is the foundation of mili- 
tary success. It is a fancy that he did not love fighting. War 
was horrible in his eyes, it is true, from the enormous public and 
private misery which it occasioned ; but he none the less loved 
she conflict of opposing forces. In battle, under his calm exte- 
rior, he had the gaudium certaminis. You could see that he was 
a fighting animal, from his ponderous jaw. We say " animal," 
because, at such moments, Jackson the compassionate Christian, 
became Jackson the veritable buU-dog. His combativeness, 
when thus aroused, was obstinate, enormous. To fight to the 
death was his unfaltering resolve, and his own invincible resolu- 
tion was infused into his troops ; they became inspired by his 
ardor, and were more than a match for two or three times their 
number fighting without this stimulus. With Jackson leading 
them in person, on fire with the heat of battle, the Stonewall 
Brigade and other troops which had served under him long, felt 
themselves able to achieve impossibilities. Eut combativeness 
and military ardor do not make a gi'eat commander ; without 
them no officer can accomplish much, but more is needed to 
achieve the glories of arms. Enterprise is necessary ; and this 
word, for want of a better, must express a quality of Jackson's 
mind which more than all else gave him his astonishing success. 
His rule was, never to allow an enemy to rest ; to attack wher- 
ever it was possible, and to press on until all opposition was 
broken down and the day gained. The remarkable activity 
shown in his campaigns is an evidence that he possessed this 
trait as a General in a more eminent degree, perhaps, than any of 
his contemporaries. A sluggish or unwary adversary was doomed 



452 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

already. Wlien he least expected it, Jackson was before him; 
attacking with all the advantages of a surprise. It was said that 
he marched his men nearly to death, and it was true. But 
these excessive drains upon their physical strength were compen- 
sated by victories, by spoils, and by an immense accession to the 
moral strength of his command. Nor did he fail to preserve, 
thus, thousands of lives, which would have been lost by more 
deliberate and conventional warfare. He always preferred to 
arrive, by forced marches, in face of an unprepared enemy, and 
drive them before him, with comparatively small loss, to a more 
leisurely advance which would find them ready to meet him. 
He aimed to succeed rather by sweat than blood. His famous 
flank movements proved a terrible tax on the strength of his 
troops ; but after their exhausting marches, the men finished the 
work without bloodshed, almost, and soon forgot their weariness 
in the sweet sleep which follows toil and victory. Aggressive 
warfare was the fundamental principle of his military system. 
He preserved the unvarying conviction, throughout his whole 
career, that the true policy of the South was one of invasion. 
So far did he carry this, that after Port Republic, as we have 
seen, he was passionately bent on advancing into Pennsylvania, 
though General McClellan was knocking at the doors of Rich- 
mond with an army of 150,000 men. After the battles of the 
Chickaliominy, he rose from his camp-couch one night, where he 
was lying, talking with a friend, and violently striking the pillow 
with his clenched hand, exclaimed : " Why don't we go to Penn- 
sylvania now ? The Scipio Africanus policy is the best ! " To 
march, to manoeuvre, to flank, to strike — to advance, retreat, 
keep his enemy in constant fear — such was his system. He 
never rested, and took no account of hours or seasons. He 
seems to have considered all weather good to fight in, and to 
have discarded the general conviction of military men that night 
attacks are hazardous. The Bath expedition was undertaken in 
the dead of winter ; and at Fredericksburg he projected and at- 
tempted to execute that final assault upon the Federal army 
which was to begin " precisely at sunset." At Chancellorsville, 



JACKSON THE SOLDIER AND THE MAN. 453 

at nine o'clock at night, when he fell, he was preparing for that 
movement of his left wing which was to envelope General Hook- 
er and decide the fate of the Federal army. No other general 
living would have ventured upon so dangerous an undertaking ; 
but Jackson had decided upon it without hesitation. 

It is not to be wondered at that unwary or indolent opponents 
became the victims of a strategy so bold and aggressive. Gen- 
eral Banks is an example. A more unfortunate appointment 
could not have been made by the Federal Government. General 
Banks seems to have been without enterprise, and greatly want- 
ing in that watchful care which his position, in front of so dan- 
gerous a foe, required. Jackson surprised him at Strasburg, 
and drove him from the Valley, almost without resistance. The 
manoeuvring around Port RepubKc was another example of his 
superiority to General Fremont, whose plan of advancing with 
one column upon Jackson's rear, while another was sent to inter- 
cept him, was turned against him, and became the occasion of 
his ruin. The rapidity of Jackson's marches in the Valley cam- 
paign and the expedition to the rear of General Pope, was mar- 
vellous ; but there was something still more striking in the en- 
terprise which suggested these movements. To a soldier so fer- 
tile in resources, so rapid, daring, and unhesitating, victory was 
almost a foregone conclusion. 

The difference between enterprise and foolhardiness is that 
between calculation and chance. Jackson's military movements 
were always based upon close calculation, and he was certainly 
not wanting in foresight and caution. He seems to have known 
perfectly well what it was in his power to achieve, and as 
thoroughly what was beyond his strength. He risked much, on 
many occasions, but appears to have been justified in Ids calcu- 
lations of the ultimate result. It will be objected to him by 
military men, that he hazarded too much, at times, and was only 
extricated by good fortune. There appears to be some justice 
in this ; but the resources of his genius were enormous, and 
doubled his numbers. Some of his ideas seem absurd when 
coolly looked at. We have seen that when he was asked what 



454 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

he would have done if, after the battle of Winchester, the con- 
ver^ng columns of the enemy had cut him off at Strasburg, he 
replied. " I would have fallen back upon Maryland for reen- 
forcements." Such a movement must, it would appear, have 
terminated in his destruction ; but it would be dffficult to find a 
man of his old command who would have doubted his ultimate 
V triumph even then. 

' His genius was for great movements and decisive blows ; 
and thus his services became more and more valuable as his 
rank increased. He was better as brigadier than as colonel ; 
better still as major-general ; and as lieutenant-general was best 
of all. It is useless to ask what he would have been as com- 
mander-in-chief, without a superior at Richmond. But the brain 
which conceived and executed the campaign of the Valley, must 
have been equal to any position. 

Jackson's other merits as a General were great. He was a 
bad organizer and disciplinarian, but admirable in his selection 
of men for important command. He conducted his campaigns 
upon the soundest rules of military science ; and where he di- 
verged from the beaten track of precedent, did so from consider- 
ations connected with the nature of the country in which he 
operated, the peculiarities of his adversary, or the character of 
the troops upon which he depended. 

He kept open generally his line of retreat, and provided 
for disaster — though it was hard to realize that failure ever 
entered into his calculations. He had the soldier's eye for posi- 
tion, and chose his ground both for infantry and artillery with 
the exactness of genius ; but if all his arrangements were made, 
and his plans required battle, would fight on any ground. Pie 
depended most upon his infantry, but loved artillery from his early 
association with that branch of the service, never appearing so 
well pleased as when directing in person the fire of his cannon, 
amid a shower of shot and shell. When once engaged, he 
seemed to discard all idea of defeat, and to regard the issue as 
assured. And what was more impoi-tant, his men seemed to 
share his conviction. Even at Kemstown he believed the Fed- 



JACKSON THE SOLDIER AND THE MAN. 455 

eral forces would have retired in ten minutes if one of his own 
brigades had not been ordered to fall back. A man less open to 
the conviction that he was whipped, could not be imagined. His 
indomitable combativeness, it might have been said, made him 
set his teeth against Fate, and endeavor to place his heel upon 
Destiny itself. 

It may be said of him with truth, tliat he deserved victory. 
No man was more careful in the use of every precaution to en- 
sure success. The idea that he blundered on without prudence 
or system, and achieved his successes only by some mysterious 
good fortune, is a mere fancy. No soldier was ever less in- 
debted to " luck ; " no one ever proceeded in military matters 
upon profounder logic. He knew his strength and his- weakness, 
but the difference between him and others was, that he made his 
estimates more correctly. He did not look to numbers only, but 
to morale, the situation, and the spirits of his troops. With the 
three hundred of Leonidas, he would have attempted great 
things ; with the fifty thousand survivors of Napoleon's Grand 
Armee, crushed in morale by Waterloo, he would have attempted 
nothing. If his men were on fire with ardor, and the enemy, 
though treble their number, were disorganized by surprise, or 
for other reasons, he would advance to the assault without fear 
of defeat. 

No General ever made a greater use of mystery. He saw 
from the first that he commanded men of education, thought, 
speculation — the most inquisitive of private soldiers. Without 
due precavition taken, they were certain to know what it was in- 
expedient for the private soldier to know ; his designs would be 
penetrated, and be noised abroad. Hence his inscrutable mys- 
tery. He would not permit his men to inquire the names of the 
towns through which they passed ; aud on the march against 
General McClellan at Richmond, issued that order directing the 
troops to reply, " I don't know," to every question. He said 
that if his coat knew what he designed, he would take it off and 
burn it. He would encamp for the night at cross roads, and the 
quidnuncs were in despair at their inability to determine toward 



456 LIFii OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

what point of the compass he would march on the morrow. 
About to abandon the Valley, he publicly directed careful maps 
to be made of the region, as though intending a campaign there- 
in. When one of his staflf engaged dinner a few miles ahead of 
his advancing column, he admonished him of his error. How 
did he know that the column would pass that point? 

He had the faculty of waiting for his adversary. No man 
was ever more determined not to be forced to fight before he 
was ready. His retreats appeared panic-stricken, but were in 
reality the deliberate movements of a master of the art of war. 
He was never more dangerous than when flying. From dreams 
of success, and visions of complete victory, his opponent was apt 
to be rudely awakened. We have seen that, in May, 1862, 
General Banks, then at Harrisonburg, telegraphed that the rebel 
Jackson had been driven from the Valley, and was in rapid 
retreat on Richmond. The commentary was Jackson's swift 
and unexpected march upon Milroy at McDowell ; his complete 
defeat of that officer, and his equally rapid advance upon Gen- 
eral Banks at Harrisonburg, before which the Federal com- 
mander was forced in turn to retreat in confusion. 

Until all his arrangements were made, no adversary could 
draw him into action. When the moment came, he saved the 
officer opposed to him all trouble on that score. He initiated 
the matter by attacking with all his strength. If one assault 
failed, he made a second. If his first line gave way he brought 
up his second. If the second had bad fortune, his reserve was 
led into action ; and if these did not at once retrieve the fortunes 
of the day, he placed himself in front of them and led them in 
person, fully determined to conquer or die. 

There were few who failed him at such moments. The sight 
of Jackson upon these occasions, seemed to turn the heads of the 
troops. They forgot all else, and grew reckless ; and when men 
become reckless, they go far. Cedar Run, as the reader may 
remember, furnished an instance of this. The left wing, formed 
of Jackson's veterans, was broken, and in ten minutes the battle 
would have been lost. There were no reserves to put in, and 



JACKSON THE SOLDIER AND THE MAN. 457 

Jackson rallied the troops in person. A single shout of " Stone- 
wall Jackson ! Stonewall Jackson ! " ran along the line, and it 
was re-formed in a moment. In front of them they saw a sword 
shining through the smoke of action, and recognized the old 
faded cap and piercing eyes of their chief. The result was 
a new assault, and one of the most important of Jackson's 
victories. 

His tenacity and strength of will seemed to have no limit. 
Nothing appeared to affect that supreme resolution. Such a 
man is the master of fate, and with his iron hand directs events. 
Napoleon trusted to his star, and Jackson, it was said, believed 
in " his destiny" — a word which he construed, apparently, to 
mean success against his enemies, wherever he encountered them. 
There seems to be good ground for the belief that he regarded 
himself as a passive instrument in the hands of Providence to 
accomplish great events, and had satisfied himself that the Lord 
of Hosts would uphold him. This conviction, supported by 
abilities of the first order, made him almost irresistible. 

His intellect, in all military matters, was remarkably clear, vig- 
orous, and practical. There are some nimble and apprehensive 
spirits whose natures appear too sharp and delicate for every- 
day work. To cut down a tree men do not use a razor, but an 
axe. Jackson's military judgment was a ponderous weapon, 
and struck straight at the obstacle. He was opposed to half-way 
measures, and in favor of decisive blows. Subtlety and dialecti- 
cal hair-splitting found little favor with him. He knew what he 
wanted, and had a perfectly clear idea of the means by which he 
could secure his object. Refinements of strategy occupied little 
of his attention. He was for results, and saw how to attain 
them. Alone of all the Southern generals he was in favor of 
attacking the Federal army on the evening of the battle of 
Fredericksburg ; and at the council of war, held on that occa- 
sion, is said to have started from a doze, when called upon for 
his opinion, exclaiming, only half awake, " Drive 'em into the 
river." All his views were aggressive, and looked to attack, 
not defence. After Port Republic he said, " If the President 



458 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

will give me 60,000 men, I will be in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 
in tAvo weeks. I will undertake it with 40,000." After Cold 
Harbor, as we have seen, he again wished to advance, exclaim- 
ing, " The Scipio Africanus policy is the best." On the evening . 
of the first battle of Manassas, his clear military intellect, un- 
clouded by subtleties, hesitations, or those pros and cons which 
paralyze action, saw the whole field before him ; and he said, in 
liis curt voice : " Give me 10,000 men, and I will be in Wash- 
ington to-night." 

He was an intense and concentrative thinker. His piercing 
eyes saw far and deep. Without the power to utter, write, or 
perform any notable thing in the ordinary commerce of human 
affairs, he brought to the great game of war immense powers of 
analysis and combination. Success was an equation which he 
worked out with mathematical precision. When an event took 
place like the gap left in his line at the second battle of Manas- 
sas, and Fredericksburg, or the falling back of the Stonewall 
Brigade at Kemstown, his whole plans miscarried. It was the 
eiTor in the calculation which vitiated the result. Such were 
the faculties which seem to the present writer to have character- 
ized Jackson, and produced his extraordinary successes. But it 
is difficult to discard the idea, after a full consideration of his 
career, that he was guided in his arduous campaigns by some- 
thing resembling a species of intuition. Many of his followers 
openly stated their belief that he was " inspired," and the mili- 
tary critic will find, after all, in his career a certain intuition of 
genius which cannot be classified or described. lie seemed to 
possess the faculty of seeing what was the right thing to do at 
the right time ; not to come to his conclusion by any train of 
logic, but at a bound. Others exhibited supreme talent, trained 
to the highest pei-fection ; but Jackson's military movements 
everywhere betrayed that subtle thing called genius. His glance 
was like the lightning which reveals the entire landscape beforo 
the benighted traveller and shows him the road. 

Passing from the characteristics of Jackson the soldier we 
may find some points of interest in the personal traits of Jackson 



JACKSON THE SOLDIEK AND THE MAN. 459 

the man. It is interesting to know how such men look and 
speak ; how they carry themselves under good or bad fortune ; 
in what manner they " live and move and have their being." 
Jackson's demeanor upon the field was quite absorbed, and at 
times absent-minded, as though he were engaged in some pro- 
found calculation, or following some subtle train of thought. 
When spoken to at such moments, his head turned quickly, his 
eye glittered, and he listened with attention, replying in the 
fewest words possible. His tone was curt but not discourteous. 
His bearing, his smile, and the ready hand to his cap, on the 
contrary, were markedly courteous, nor has the present writer 
evei: known him, under the most exciting circumstances, to lose 
this simple and modest air of kindly good breeding. He was 
the most approachable of corps commanders, and any private 
soldier might be sure of a friendly reply to any question which 
he asked. There was no air of authority, oflScial stifihess, hau- 
teur, assumption, or coldness in his demeanor. He " looked like 
work," was unmoved by vanity, regarded his troops as his 
children ; and when he fell, it was not the heart of wife and friend 
alone that felt the blow, but thousands who no longer felt the old 
enthusiasm preluding victory. 

His air at Lexington had been that of a recluse. In the 
army he became somewhat more sociable, but was never easy 
and unembarrassed. His voice was low and distinct, without 
much compass, but clear in enunciation, with all its curtness, 
and conveying the impression of great earnestness in the speaker. 
All the staff officers of the army liked him. In listening to a 
communication he bent over, paid close attention, and from time 
to time nodded his head and smiled, as though pleased with the 
accuracy of the statement. His orders were brief, clear, and 
if necessary were repeated. This was done quietly, and with- 
out fret or impatience. " He was the politest man I ever saw," 
said an ofiicer long near his person, " and I believe he consid- 
ered it a part of his military duty." This may be true, but it 
was not the source of his courtesy. He was by nature kindly, 
and on many occasions displayed an exquisite sense of true cour- 



460 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

tesy, and spoke very nobly. Just before Chancellors ville, while 
riding with General Lee, he met Colonel "Wickham, of the cav- 
alry, who received some instructions from General Lee as to the 
disposition of his force. "When General Lee had finished, Jack- 
son said : " Colonel, there is a gap m the line yonder ; General 
Wright is too much to the left. Tell him to close up with your 
cavalry." Colonel "Wickham looked at the speaker, whose dress 
exhibited no evidences of his rank, and said, " From whom 
shall I say the order comes, sir?" " Why, Colonel," said Gen- 
eral Lee, " don't you know General Jackson?" Colonel Wick- 
ham bowed and replied, " I did not. General. I keep with my 
command, and never before had the pleasure to meet or know 
you. General Jackson." " But I knew you^ Colonel," replied 
Jackson, with the bow of a nobleman and his most Avinning 
smile. This smile was very sweet. A lady described it as 
" angelic." It was certainly the most friendly imaginable, and 
charmed all who conversed with him. It was impossible not to 
see that he was a man of great kindness, of an extraordinary 
sweetness of temper, tender-hearted, easily moved to pity and 
all pure emotions. He was very simple and unostentatious in 
his manners and habits ; used neither tea, coffee, nor tobacco, 
and never touched spirit except as a medicine. When he was 
sick one day. Dr. McGuire, his surgeon, gave him some whis- 
key, and he made a wry face in swallowing it. Dr. McGuire 
asked him if it was not good, wdien he replied : " Oh yes, very 
good. I like liquor, both the taste and the effect, and that is the 
reason I don't drink it 1 " He cared not what he ate, and would 
sleep in a fence corner with perfect content. There never was 
a greater sleeper. His physical constitution seemed to require 
it, and he would drop asleep under a tree, in his chair, or in the 
saddle on a march. " If his rest was broken for one night," 
says Dr. McGuire, " he was almost sure to go to sleep upon his 
horse if riding next day." On one of these occasions when he 
was swaying unsteadily with the movements of his horse, a sol- 
dier who did not recognize him called out and asked facetiously 
" where he got his liquor ! " The noise woke the General, and 



JACKSON THE SOLDIER AND THE MAN. 461 

lie laughed heartily. His propensity for lying on the ground 
had much to do with the dingy appearance of his uniform. His 
old coat Avas covered with dust collected from the battle-fields 
of many regions, as he slept upon the earth, in rude bivouac, 
after the hard-fought day. All this endeared him to his soldiers, 
at whose camp-fires he would stop to talk in the friendly fashion 
of the officers of Napoleon, and whose rations he would fre- 
quently share. The sight of bis faded coat and cadet cap was 
the sign to cheer, and " Old Jack" was personally adored, as in 
his military capacity he was regarded by his men as the greatest 
of leaders. Even his peculiarities became sources of popular- 
ity, and endeared him to his troops. It was said of Suwarrow 
that his men mimicked him, gave him nicknames, and adored 
him. It was the same with Jackson. His troops laughed at 
his dingy old uniform, his cap, tilting forward on his nose, his 
awkward strides, his abstracted air, and christening him " Old 
Jack," made him their first and greatest of favorites. There 
was one peculiarity of the individual, however, which they re- 
garded with something like superstition. We refer to the singu- 
lar fashion he had of raising his hand aloft, and then suddenly 
letting the arm fall at his side. On many occasions he made 
this strange gesture as his veterans moved slowly before him, 
advancing to the charge. At such moments his face would be 
raised to heaven, his eyes closed, and his lips would move evi- 
dently in prayer. The same gesture was observed in him, as we 
have seen, at Chancellorsville, while gazing at the body of one 
of his old command. He was plainly praying, with his hand 
uplifted, for the welfare of the dead man's soul. 

"We have given an outline of Jackson's chief traits as a sol- 
dier. Intellectually, he does not appear to have been conspic- 
uously endowed beyond the sphere of his profession. His mind 
was sound and just, but not brilliant or original. He was a 
good mathematician, a patient thinker, and displayed a native 
good sense in his views and opinions, but, except in military af- 
fairs, he exhibited no traces of genius. He was a clear and in- 
telligent but not a powerful or original writer. Such of his let- 



4G2 LITE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

ters as we have seen do not differ in a noticeable degree from 
those of mediocre men. He seemed to possess little imagina- 
tion or poetry. His genius was practical, and dealt with the 
phenomena of nature, the principles of science and philosophy, 
and the realities of the world around him. It will remain an 
interesting problem whether he would have distinguished him- 
self in the conduct of civil affairs. It is certain that he would 
have been a dominant man, and as President would have ad- 
ministered the Government in accordance with his views of 
right, without regard to persons. "Whether he would have 
proved himself as great in the cabinet or the chair of the Exec- 
utive as in the field, is doubtful. 

An officer long intimately associated with him gives an ex- 
cellent summary of his character. 

" Apparently dull in some directions," says this gentleman, 
" he was in others an original and patient thinker. As a mili- 
tary genius no other remains like him. Judging with quick and 
seldom erring sagacity, he was as prompt, energetic, and success- 
iiU in action. Humble before his Maker, gentle in daily life, 
with an amiable sweetness to chosen friends, and a sincere po- 
liteness toward every human being, he was habitually brief and 
decided in expression, steadfast in purpose, and when fully 
aroused, as in the crisis of battle, sublime in the fire of his 
spirit. A man of prayer, faith, simplicity, purity, and power." 

There is little doubt that the views of the present generation, 
including the writer of these pages, concerning Jackson the sol- 
dier, are more or less mingled with undue admiration. His 
faults are not seen ; his merits may be exaggerated. But as a 
man, his virtues were recognized even by his opponents. The 
trait of character which conciliated most the regard and respect 
of his enemies, was the profound sincerity and earnestness of 
his nature. There was no doubt about Jackson's utter truth 
and honesty. Life with him was a serious affair, and he seemed 
to have no time for enjoyment even. At West Point he studied 
conscientiously, avoiding all lighter occupations ; in Mexico he 
betook himself to hard fighting ; and at Lexington his whole 



JACKSON THE SOLDIER AND THE MAN. 463 

soiil became absorbed in the performance of his humdrum du- 
ties, and the earnest endeavor to discover the will of his Maker, 
and conform to that will in all things. 

The students laughed at the silent and awkward professor, 
who found enjoyment apparently in nothing but religious exer- 
cises and hard work ; but they could not understand the " great 
thoughts " and certain joys which the taciturn soldier derived 
from his religion. 

"We cannot here define the exact religious views of this emi- 
nent man. He has been called a fatalist, from his ultra indiffer 
ence to danger ; but fatalism, proper, is an absurdity. ' That he 
held the Presbyterian view of predestination is certain ; but to 
discover and perform the will of God, without regard to that or 
any other dogma, was his " meat and drink." With him, his 
religion was his life. It was the broad foundation of all his 
thoughts and words and deeds. He seemed to live, consciously, 
under the eye of God, and to shape aU his actions with reference 
to the divine approval. He had no time to think whether this 
or that in his character, his actions, or his utterances, was " con- 
ventional " or not — ^pleased or displeased his fellow-man, Am I 
conforming my life to the will of God ? was always and under 
all circumstances his only question. 

From this profound and controlling piety sprung his virtues, 
his peculiarities, and his true greatness. Contemplating the 
profound significance of his position as an immortal soul, tarry- 
ing for a season only upon earth, and destined by its conduct 
here to shape for all eternity its own weal or woe, all other 
things became poor and inconsiderable in his eyes ; what men 
thought of him, how he appeared in society, what dress he wore, 
what food he eat, what worldly enjoyments he neglected, or what 
worldly honors he missed or secured. Something of the old 
sijirit of the Man of Tarsus was in the heart of Jackson, who 
had his meditations and his work, and could afford to neglect the 
purple and the feasting, and endure all things for the faith that 
was in him. 

Jackson died before he reached the age of forty, and had but 



464 LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 

two years of life for the display of his great faculties. But 
this period was long enough. In that contracted space of time 
he accomplished results which will render his name and fame 
immortal. Few human beings ever equalled him in the great 
art of making war — fewer still in purity of heart and life. 
It was a nature almost altogether lovely which lay under that 
faded uniform of the great soldier. No stain of insincerity, or 
meanness, or vain-gloriousness marred a character which com- 
bined the loftiest virtues of the gentleman, the soldier, and the 
Christian. 

He sleeps now, cold to praise or blame ; but a poor writer, 
proud to have touched his hand and followed him, offers this 
page to his illustrious memory. 



APPEE"DIX, 

PREPARED BY 

Rev. J. WILLIAM JONES, D. D., 

AUTHOR OF 

"PEKSONAL REMINISCEJJCES OP LEE." 

30 




LAST MEKTING UKTWKEN LEK AND .lACKSON. 



PEKSONAL KEMINISCENCES. 



BY REV. J. WILLIAM JONES, D. D. 



On the eve of the unveiling of the English statue of Jackson, 
the memorable 36th of October, 1875, it has been to me a pleasing 
task to recall the great chieftain as I knew him, and to prepare the 
following , 

PERSONAL REMINISCENCES AND ANECDOTES OF STONEWALL 
JACKSON. 

I used to hear the cadets of the Virginia Military Institute speak 
of a silent, stern, but hard-working professor, whom they called 
" Old Jack," and upon whom they delighted to play all sorts of 
pranks. There were traditions of his having greatly distinguished 
himself in the Mexican War ; and stories were told of his walking 
back and forth on a road that was ploughed by the enemy's artillery, 
to inspire his men with courage; of his sitting all alone on his 
piece when his men had been killed or driven oflF, saying that he 
" had received no orders to leave ; " and of his standing to his guns 
on another occasion when all his supports had fled, and driving off 
an immensely superior force of the enemy. 

But these gallant deeds had been welluigh lost sight of, and I 
confess that I entered largely into the general feeling of disappro- 
bation when it was announced in the early spring of 1861 that 
" Major Jackson " had been made " colonel," and sent to take com- 
mand of Harper's Ferry, which was then considered one of the 
strongholds of the Confederacy. 

I first saw him on July 4, 1861, while our army was drawn up in 
line of battle at Darkesville to meet Patterson. The skill and tact 
with which he had reduced the high-spirited young men who 
rushed to Harper's Ferry at the first tap of the drum into the respect- 



468 APPENDIX. 

able " Army of tlic Shenandoah," which he turned over to General 
Johnston May 23, 18G1, and the ability and stern courage with which 
he had cliecked Patterson's advance at Falling "Waters, had won for 
him some reputation, and I was anxious to see him. I confess that 
my first impression was one of disappointment, and I was loath to 
recognize in the plain-looking, rather awkward man before me, 
dressed in a simple Virginia uniform, the rising Confederate leader. 
But when I approached him and stated my mission, whicli was to 
ask permission for a colporteur who had been stopped by our pick- 
ets to enter our lines and prosecute his work among the soldiers, he 
at once replied, with a sweet smile which lingers fresh in my mem- 
ory to-day : " Certainly, sir, I will take the greatest pleasure in grant- 
ing all such permits. Please say to the colporteur that he is more 
than welcome, that he must come to see me, and that it will afford 
me real pleasure to do every thing in my power to help him in his 
noble work." 

I lingered for a time to have with him a delightful conversation 
on the religious interests of the army, and went away with the deep 
conviction that we had in him a warm-hearted, earnest Christian, 
whose entire trust was in the living God. 

His personal appearance as I saw him then and almost daily 
afterward is vividly daguerreotyped on the memory of his old corps, 
who will readily recognize the following picture, drawn by his inti- 
mate friend and chief of staff, Rev. Dr. R. L. Dabney : 

" His person was tall, erect, and muscular, with the large hands and feet 
characteristic of all his race. His bearing was peculiarly English, and, there- 
fore, in the somewhat free society of America, was regarded as constrained. 
Every movement was quick and decisive. His articulation was not rapid, 
but distinct and emphatic, and, accompanied by that laconic and perspicu- 
ous phrase to which it was so well adapted, it often made the impression of 
curtness. He practised a military exactness in all the courtesies of good 
society. Different opinions existed as to his comeliness, because it varied so 
much with the condition of his health and animal spirits. His brow was 
exceedingly fair and expansive; his eyes were blue, large, and expressive, 
reposing usually in placid calm, but able none the less to flash lightning. 
His nose was Koman and exceedingly well-chiseled ; his cheeks ruddy and 
sunburnt ; his mouth firm and full of meaning, and his chin covered with a 
beard of comely brown. The remarkable characteristic of his face was the 
contrast between its stern and its gentler moods. As he accosted a friend 



PEESONAL EEMINISCENCE8. 4G9 

or dispensed the hospitalities of his own house, his serious, constrained look 
gave place to a smile so sweet and sunny in its graciousness that he was 
another man. But hearty laughter especially was a complete metamor- 
phosis ; his blue eyes then danced, and his countenance rippled with a glee 
and abandon literally infantile. This smile was indescribable to one who 
never saw it. Had there been a painter with genius subtile enough to fix 
upon his canvas, side by side, the spirit of the countenance with which he 
caught the sudden jest of a child romping on his knees, and that with 
which, in the crisis of battle, he gave his generals the sharp and strident 
command, ' Sweep the field with the bayonet ! ' he would have accomplished 
a miracle of art which the spectator could scarcely credit as true to Nature. 

" In walking, his step was long and rapid, and at once suggested the idea 
of the dismounted horseman. It has been said that he was an awkward 
rider, but incorrectly. A sufficient evidence of this is the fact that he was 
never thrown. It is true that on the march, when involved in thought, he 
was heedless of the grace of his posture ; but in action, or as he rode with 
his bare head along the column, acknowledging the shouts which rent the 
skies, no figure could be nobler than his. Such was the man as he left the 
quiet walks of the MiUtary Academy, in the spring of 1861, to begin a career 
which was to fill the world with his fame." 

And vpho does not remember that old gray uniform which soon 
became soiled with the dust of the Valley ; those cavalry boots and 
spurs ; that old cadet-cap which tilted on his nose ; and, above all, 
that raw-boned sorrel which he rode, and which the boys used to 
say " could not run except toward the enemy ! " The splendid 
" regulation " Confederate uniform with which his devoted friend, 
the chivahic " Jeb " Stuart, presented him just before the battle of 
Fredericksburg, and which he wore for the first time on that occa- 
sion, has been forgotten, but that old uniform in which we used to 
see him gallop along the lines amid the deafening cheers of the bfave 
fellows who followed him with loving enthusiasm can never be for- 
gotten, and will be recalled again and again to-day as the veterans 
of his old corps gather to do him honor. 

I have space for only a very brief epitome of his life : 
"^ Thomas Jonathan Jackson was born at Clarksburg, in West Vir- 
ginia (a part of the " Old Dominion " then), in the year 1834. Left 
a penniless oi*phan at three years old, he grew up an industrious, 
hard-working boy, with few educational advantages, but so esteemed 
for his energy and integrity of character that at sixteen he was ap- 



470 APPENDIX. 

pointed constable, and might have succeeded well in business pur- 
suits. But, conceiving an ardent desire to Secure a suitable educa- 
tion and enter the military service of the country, he went to Wash- 
iugtou (making a large part of the journey on foot), and, through 
the influence of the Congressman from his district secured, at the 
age of seventeen, an appointment as cadet to West Point. His pre- 
vious preparation did not enable him to take a very high stand in 
his class, and he was not considered brilliant ; but, with that con- 
scientiousness which ever distinguished him, he went vigorously to 
work, made rapid progress in his studies, and after the usual four 
years' course graduated number seventeen in his class. 

That gallant and accomplished soldier. General Dabney H. Mau- 
ry, has just published the following personal recollections of his old 
classmate : 

" In June, 1842, A. P. Hill, George E. Pickett, B. D. Fry, and the writer, 
having passed our first week at the Military Academy, were standing together 
on the south side of the old South Barracks at West Point, when a cadet 
sergeant came by us conducting a newly-arrived cadet to his quarters. This 
new-comer attracted our attention at once. He was apparently about twenty 
years of age, was well-grown ; his figure was angular and clumsy ; his gait 
was awkward. He was clad in old-fashioned Virginia homespun woolen 
cloth ; he bore across his fahoulders a pair of weather-stained saddle-bags, 
and his hat was one of those heavy, low-crowned, broad-brimmed wool hats 
usually worn in those days by overseers, county constables, wagoners, etc. 
He tramped along by the side of the sergeant, with an air of resolution, and 
his stolid look added to the inflexible determination of his whole aspect, so 
that one of us remarked, ' That fellow has come here to stay.' 

" So much did he impress me that I made inquiry at once about him, and 
found he was from Virginia. I then sought him out and endeavored to show 
him some especial interest, and to let him know he was not without friends 
iu that strange land. He was not at all demonstrative, however, and seemed 
to be determined to hew out his own career by his own earnest energy. 

" His name was T. J. Jackson ! He had a right rough time in the Academy 
at first ; for his want of previous training placed him at a disadvantage, and 
it was all he could do to pass his first examination. 

" We were studying algebra, and maybe analytical geometry that winter, 
and Jackson was very low in his class standing. All lights were put out at 
'taps;' but just before the 6ign.il he would pile his gr.ate up with the an- 
thracite coal, and, lying prone before it on the floor, would work away at his 



PERSONAL KEMmiSCENCES. 471 

lessons by the glare of the fire, which scorched his very brain, till a late hour 
of the night. 

"This evident determination to succeed not only aided his own efforts 
directly, but impressed his instructors in his favor, and he rose steadily year 
by year till we used to say, ' If we had to stay here another year " Old Jack " 
would be head of the class.' 

" By the fourth year he attained a position in the first section, but his 
lower standing during the early years of the course, and in drawing, French, 
and some other studies of a lighter and more ornamental character, brought 
his average below the point to which he had actually attained by the end of 
our course. 

" In the riding-hall I think his suffering must have been great — he had a 
very rough horse — and, when the order came to ' cross stirrups ' and ' trot,' 
' Old Jack ' swayed about and struggled hard to keep on his horse. When 
we had advanced to riding at the leads, leaping the bars, etc., his equitation 
was truly fearful ; but he persevered through the most perilous trials and no 
man in the riding-house would take more risks than he, and certainly no one 
had our good wishes for success and safety more than he. 

" I believe he went through the very trying ordeal of the four years at "West 
Point without ever having a hard word or a hard feeling for or from cadet or 
professor. And while there were many who seemed to surpass him in the 
graces of intellect, in geniality, in good-fellowship, there was no one of our 
class who more absolutely possessed the respect and confidence of all than 
he did. 

"I met him, after we separated at West Point, in the autumn of 1846, at 
Camargo, Mexico. He had come down from Monterey to take up some siege- 
guns to General Taylor, and the squadron of mounted rifles to which I be- 
longed was ordered to escort those guns. The route was pretty rough, the guns 
were very heavy, and the energy, the resource, the concentration on the ardu- 
ous duty before him which Jackson evinced impressed us all with the fact that 
he was a great ' duty officer.' 

" Some years afterward Jackson came up to West Point from his station 
at Governor's Island to visit several of us, his classmates, who had been or- 
dered to duty at the Academy after the close of the Mexican War. McCleUan 
was of our number. We had a very large and pleasant mess, and Jackson 
sojourned several days with us. He had then become hypochondriacal. He 
had queer ideas about his health ; he thought one side of him was heavier 
than the other, and sometimes would raise one hand up to the arm's length 
to let the blood flow downward and hghten that arm. He told me then that 
he was about to accept a professorship at Lexington, whither he soon after 
went. 



472 APPENDIX. 

" I next saw him, at a distance, in his camp at Manassas, two days after 
the first battle, and never again has it been my privilege to see him. 

" His was a pure and simple character. He had the true afflatus of war ; 
and while there was no self-seeking in all his great career, there was that 
inevitable expansion of character, and of consciousness of his capacity, which 
grew by what it fed on, and pointed out to him the great destiny before 
him." 

Brevetted second - lieutenant in July, 1846, he reported to old 
" Rough and Ready " in Mexico, and not long after joined General 
Scott in his victorious march to the halls of the Montezumas. In 
August, 1847, he was made a first-lieutenant in the battery of Cap- 
tain John B. Magruder (the Confederate General Magruder), and so 
greatly distinguished himself in the battles that followed that he 
was highly complimented in official reports, and brevetted captain, 
and then major, " for gallant and meritorious conduct." 

In 1852 failing health impelled him to resign his commission in 
the army and return to his native State. The professorship of Natu- 
ral Sciences in the Virginia Military Institute at Lexington being 
vacant. General D. H. Hill (then a professor in Washington College) 
strongly urged Jackson's name for the appointment. The Faculty 
at West Point (on application of General Smith, Superintendent of 
the Virginia Institute) recommended for the position McClollan, 
Rosecrans, Foster, Peck, and G. W. Smith, but on being told that 
Jackson had been mentioned they said that he was " an indefati- 
gable man and would do well, though he had come to the Academy 
badly prepared." His election was strongly advocated before the 
board by Hon, John S. Carlisle, and the testimonials in his favor 
were so strong that he was elected notwithstanding the able com- 
petitors which he had for the place. His life at the Institute was 
that of an earnest man conscientiously and successfully discharging 
every duty that devolved upon him. He was considered " eccen- 
tric" by some, but his eccentricities all leaned to a rigid performance 
of what he deemed right. He waited ten minutes in the pelting 
rain in front of the quarters of the superintendent that he might 
not deliver his report one minute before the time ordered, and wore 
thick woollen clothes in the summer " because he had received no 
orders to change his uniform," upon precisely the same principle. He 
wanted to set the cadets an example of unquestioning obedience to orders. 



PERSONAL EEMINISCENCES. 4T3 

Soon after entering upon his duties at the institute he married a 
daughter of Rev. Dr. Juukin, President of Washington College, and 
upon her death, in 1855, he visited Europe on leave of absence. 
Some time after his return he married the daughter of Rev. Dr. 
Morrison, of North Carolina, who was sister to the wife of the Con- 
federate General D. H. Hill. He continued in the discharge of his 
duties at the Institute until the notes of civil strife sounded through 
the land, and called him to the glorious career which was to make 
him one of the world's heroes. 

Jackson was not a politician in any sense of the term ; but he 
was not an indifferent spectator of the great events of the early 
weeks of 1861, and earnestly did he hope and pray that the rights 
of his native South might be guaranteed, and the flag he had once 
fought under so gallantly continue to wave in peace over all of the 
States. 

But the fatal hour came — all efforts at a peaceful solution of the 
controversy failed. Virginia, who had hitherto refused all overtures 
to leave the Union, and had upon bended knees begged for peace, 
was called upon to furnish her quota of troops to coerce her sister 
States of the South ; and in reply her convention, on the 17th day 
of April, 1861, passed an " ordinance of secession," and her sons 
marched from seaboard and mountains to obey her voice, and meet 
on the frontier the invaders of her soil. 

The quiet professor at Lexington was not slow to respond to 
the call of his State, which he deemed paramount to all others. 
He wrote at once to his friend Governor Letcher, offering his ser- 
vices in any position to which he might be assigned, expressing 
his willingness to go into the ranks if he was not more needed in 
some higher position. Governor Letcher, whose intimate acquaint- 
ance with Jackson, and keen knowledge of character, gave him a 
high estimate of his ability, at once commissioned him a colonel 
in the Virginia forces. After remaining for a short time at the 
camp of instruction near Richmond, where he rendered most valu- 
able assistance in organizing the raw volunteers who came forward 
so promptly, he was sent to command the troops gathered at Har- 
per's Ferry. 

When General Johnston was sent by the Confederate Govern- 
ment, of which Virginia had now become a part, to command the 
"Army of the Shenandoah," Colonel Jackson was placed in com- 



474 APPENDIX. 

mand of the brigade with whicli liis name was henceforth identi- 
fied. His honorable part in the skillful movement by which our 
great strategist (General Johnston) eluded Patterson and hastened 
to the relief of Beauregard at Manassas, and the ability and cool 
courage with which he fought his brigade and won his imperish- 
able sohriquet " Stonewall " on those historic plains, are too well 
known to require any detailed account. 

He had been made brigadier soon after the affair at Falling 
Waters, and on October 1, 1861, he was commissioned major-gen- 
eral and sent to command the " Valley District." His frequent 
marches from point to point, and his expedition to Bath and Rom- 
ney, which by a sudden change of the weather was rendered one 
of the most terrible marches on record, will not be forgotten by 
those who participated in tliem. 

His resignation of his commission when the Secretary of "War 
(Mr. Benjamin) seemed disposed to manage the affairs of his de- 
partment without consulting him, and his refusal to withdraw his 
resignation until the proper explanations were made ; his reluctant 
withdrawal from Winchester on March 11, 1863, before overwhelm- 
ing numbers of the enemy, and his bold attack and heroic fight at 
Kernstown, March 23d, by which he recalled the Federal column 
which was moving through the mountains to strike Johnston's flank 
as he fell back from Manassas, are all matters of history which need 
not be recounted here. 

The ability of his strategy, the celerity of his movements, and 
the heroic courage with which (after being joined by Ewell's vet- 
eran division) he struck Milroy at McDowell, Banks at Front Royal, 
Middleburg, and Winchester, Fremont at Cross Keys, and Shields 
at Port Republic, will be the study of military critics in the ages 
to come. 

And so his rapid and secret movement to Richmond, and the 
part he bore in the glorious "seven days' battles " which raised the 
siege of our beautiful city and sent McClcUan bleeding and crippled 
to the cover of his gunboats, are indelibly written in the memories 
of our people. 

Jackson was now made lieutenant-general, and placed in com- 
mand of the old Second Corps, while Longstrect commanded the 
Fii-8t. 

It quickens the pulse and thrills the heart of Lee's old veterans 



PERSONAL EEMINISCENOES. 475 

as they think even at this day of the glorious campaign which fol- 
lowed : of how our great chieftain sent Jackson to meet the ad- 
vance of the braggart Pope, and handle his old friend Banks so 
roughly at Cedar Run mountain ; of how Jackson executed his 
brilliant movement to Pope's rear, and forced him (desj)ite his gen- 
eral orders) to have some regard to lines of retreat ; of how General 
Lee came up with the rest of the army and crushed Pope on the 
plains of Manassas ; of our march into Maryland; of Jackson's cap- 
ture of Harper's Ferry with eleven thousand prisoners, seventy-three 
2)ieces of artillery, etc. ; of Sharpsburg, where, with less than thirty 
thousand men of all arms, we met McClellan's eighty-seven thou- 
sand, and successfully resisted every attack ; and Fredericksburg, 
where, on December 13th, the glorious campaign was closed with 
another splendid victory on the plains which Northern writers have 
aptly named BurnsicWa slaughter-pen. 

Jackson greatly enjoyed the rest of several months which fol- 
lowed ; but Hooker, who succeeded Burnside, and had so increased 
the numbers and efficiency of his command until he boasted that it 
was " the finest army on the planet," began, on the 26th of April, 
1803, a movement which added Chancellorsville to the long list of 
Confederate victories, but deprived us of the priceless services of 
Jackson. "With thirty thousand men safely across the river at Freder- 
icksbm'g, and ninety thousand intrenched at Chancellorsville, besides 
Stoneman's cavalry, which he had sent to break up our railroads, 
while General Lee had only about forty-five thousand men of all 
arms, it did really seem that there was some ground for Hooker's 
boast in his general order to his troops: "The enemy must either 
ingloriously fly, or come out from behind his defenses and give us 
battle on our own ground, where certain destruction awaits him." 

But he had not counted on the bold strategy of Lee, the splendid 
executive ability of Jackson, or that "array of tattered uniforms but 
bright muskets " who had never failed to follow where he led. That 
brilliant movement of Jackson to Hooker's flank and rear followed, 
and our great chieftain fell in the full tide of what he regarded as 
the most successful military movement of his life. He said after he 
was wounded : " If I had not been wounded, or had an hour more 
of daylight, I would have cut off the enemy from the road to the 
United States ford ; we would have had them entirely surrounded, 
and they would have been obliged to surrender or cut their way out. 



4:76 APPENDIX. 

They had no other alternative. 3Iy troops may sometimes fail in 
driving the enemy from a position, but the enemy always fail to 
drive my men from a position." 

A gallant gentleman, who served on the staflf of General A. P. 
Hill, has recently given me a somewhat new version of the w^ound- 
ing of Jackson, which has never heen in print, and which I will give 
in detail : While General Rodes's division was pressing the enemy 
in line of battle, A. P. Hill's division was moving in column to their 
support, and General Hill and his staff rode to the front to assist in 
relieving the confusion which had necessarily ensued from charging 
through the thick undergrowth. After the pursuit had ceased, and 
Hill's division was moving forward to relieve Rodes, the enemy 
opened a very severe fire of artillery from some thirty pieces ; and 
just after this Hill met Jackson in the turnpike, and received from 
him the characteristic order, twice repeated, and with General Jack- 
son's peculiar wave of the hand in the direction indicated, " Press 
them and cut them off from the United States fordy Hill replied : 
" General, I am entirely unacquainted with the topogra2)hy of this 
country. Have you an officer who could aid me ? " Jackson then 
directed Captain Boswell, of his staff, to report to General Hill, and 
he himself rode on down the road through the lines, and about fifty to 
seventy-five yards in front of them. My informant thinks that there 
was with Jackson at this time none of his staff, and only one of the 
signal corps ; but it would seem, from other accounts, that he was at 
least joined soon after by Captain Wilbourne and Lieutenant Morri- 
son, of his staff. The contiguity of the Confederate lines to the Fed- 
eral lines at this time w^as shown by the fact that some of Lane's 
brigade of Hill's corps brought in a Federal colonel, who said that 
he stepi^ed in front of his lines and only came a few feet before he 
found himself in ours. As soon as General Hill saw Jackson ride in 
front of his lines he felt it his duty, as a subordinate, to join him, 
and accordingly he also rode forward, accompartied by several of his 
staff and couriers. 

It was not an unusual thing for our general officers to ride in 
front of their lines (at Mine Run, in November, 18G3, General R. E. 
Lee, General A. P. Hill, and General Stuart, crawled out in front of 
our advance skirmish-line in order to reconnoitre the position of the 
enemy), and Jackson was famous for it. So that he did nothing out 
of the usual order on this occasion, and the officer from whom I get 



DR. H. McGUIEe's ACCOUNT OF HIS LAST HOUES. 477 

these points is very positive that no special orders " to fire on horse- 
men coming from the direction of the enemy " were given to the 
troops that night. When the firing first began, the party were sit- 
ting quietly on their horses, looking in the direction of the enemy's 
lines, and eagerly listening to the clatter of the axes felling timber, 
and other noises indicating their movements. A scattering fire 
commenced on the right (possibly in response to one from {he ene- 
my), and immediately the brigade in front of which Jackson's party 
were quietly sitting on their horses, opened fire upon them with the 
most fatal results. The party at this time consisted of General Jack- 
son, who received three terrible wounds in the arm and hand, and 
whose horse dragged him under the bough of a tree and lacerated 
his face terribly ; Captain Wilbourne and Lieutenant Morrison, who 
saved himself from being carried into the enemy's lines by his frantic 
horse, by throwing himself to the ground and sufiering severe 
bruises ; General Hill, who saved himself by jumping to the ground 
and lying there till the firing was over ; Colonel William H. Palmer, 
whose horse was killed under him ; Captain Forbes, a gallant quar- 
termaster, who was serving as a volunteer aid on Hill's stafT, who 
was instantly killed; Captain Boswell, of Jackson's staff, who fell 
dead at the first fire ; Major Conway Howard, whose horse carried 
him into the enemy's lines ; Captain Murray Taylor, whose horse was 
killed with five bullet- wounds ; Sergeant Tucker, who was captured ; 
and couriers Muse, severely woimded, and Saunders, killed. 

The bearing of Jackson to the rear, the wounding of A. P. Hill, 
who sent at once for Stuart, the grand attack on the enemy's posi- 
tion, with the watchword " Charge, and remember Jackson ! " and 
other interesting incidents of this eventful period, are detailed in the 
books, and there is not space to reproduce them here. 

The following detailed account of the last hours of the great 
chieftain, written by his medical director and trusted friend Dr. 
Hunter McGuire, will be read with deep interest, and is worthy of a 
place in the record : 

DB. HUNTER MoGVIJiS'S ACCOUNT OF EIS LAST HOUES. 

Supported on either side by his aides, Captains James Smith and Joseph 
Morrison, the general moved slowly and painfully toward the rear. Occa- 
sionally resting for a moment to shake off the exhaustion which pain and the 
loss of blood produced, he at last reached the line of battle, where most of 



478 APPENDIX. 

the men were lying down, to escape the shell and canister with which the 
Federals raked the road. General Pender rode up here to the little party and 
asked who was wounded, and Captain Smith, who had been instructed by Gen- 
eral Jackson to tell no one of his injury, simply answered, " A Confederate 
oflScer ; " but Pender recognized the general, and, springing from his horse, 
hurriedly expressed his regret, and added that his lines were so much broken 
he feared it would be necessary to fall back. At this moment the scene was 
! a fearful one. The air seemed to be alive with the shrieks of shells and the 
whistling of bullets ; horses riderless and mad with fright dashed in every 
direction ; hundreds left the ranks and fled to the rear, and the groans of the 
wounded and dying mingled with the wild shouts of others to be led again 
to the assault. Almost fainting as he was from loss of blood, fearfully 
wounded, and, as he thought, dying, Jackson was undismayed by this terrible 
scene. The words of Pender -seemed to rouse him to life. Pushing aside 
the men who supported him, he stretched himself to his full height, and an- 
swered feebly, but distinctly enough to be heard above the din of the battle, 
" General Pender, you must hold on to the field, you must hold out to the 
last." It was Jackson's last order upon the field of battle. Still more ex- 
hausted by this effort, he asked to be permitted to lie down for a few mo- 
ments, but the danger from the fire, and capture by the Federal advance, was 
too imminent, and his aides hurried him on. A litter having been obtained, 
he was placed upon it, and the bearers passed on as rapidly as the thick 
woods and rough ground permitted. Unfortunately, another one of the 
bearers was struck down, and the litter, having been supported at each of 
the four corners by a man, fell and threw the general to the ground. The 
fall was a serious one, and, as he touched the earth, he gave for the first 
time expression to his suffering, and groaned pitcously. 

Captain Smith sprang to his side, and, as he raised his head, a bright 
beam of moonlight made its way through the thick foliage, and rested upon 
the pale fiice of the poor sufferer. The captain was startled by its great 
pallor and stillness, and cried out, " general, are you seriously hurt ? " 
" No," he answered, " don't trouble yourself, my friend, about me," and pres- 
ently added something about winning the battle first, and attending to the 
wounded afterward. He was placed upon the litter again, and carried a few 
hundred yards, when I met him with an ambulance. I knelt down by him 
and said, " I hope you are not badly hurt, general." He replied very calmly, 
but feebly : '* I am badly injured, doctor; I fear I am dying." After a pause 
he continued : " I am glad you have come. I think the wound in my shoulder 
is still bleeding." His clothes were saturated with blood, and hajniorrhage 
was still going on from the wound. Compression of the artery with the 
finger arrested it, until, lights being procured from the ambulance, the hand- 



DK, II. McGTJIEe's account OF HIS LAST HOUKS. 479 

kerchief, which had slipped a little, was readjusted. His calmness amid the 
dangers which surrounded him, and at the supposed presence of death, and 
his uniform politeness, which did not forsake him, even under these, the most 
trying circumstances, were remarkable. His complete control, too, over his 
mind, enfeebled, as it was, by loss of blood, pain, etc., was wonderful. His 
suffering at this time was intense ; his hands were cold, his skin clammy, his 
face pale, and his lips compressed and bloodless ; not a groan escaped him — 
not a sign of suffering, except the slight corrugation of his brow, the fixed 
rigid face, and the thin lips, so tightly compressed, that the impression of the 
teeth could be seen through them. Except these, he controlled by his iron 
will all evidence of emotion, and more diflScult than this even, he controlled 
that disposition of restlessness, which many of us have observed upon the 
field of battle, attending great loss of blood. Some whiskey and morphia 
were procured from Dr. Straith, and administered to him, and, placing him 
in the ambulance, it was started for the Corps Field Infirmary, at the Wilder- 
ness Tavern. Colonel Crutchfield, his chief of artillery, was also in the ambu- 
lance-wagon. He had been wounded very seriously in the leg, and was suf- 
fering intensely. 

The general expressed, very feelingly, his sympathy for Crutchfield, and 
once, when the latter groaned aloud, he directed the ambulance to stop, and 
requested me to see if something could not be done for his relief. Torches 
had been provided, and every means taken to carry them to the hospital, as 
safely and easily as possible. I sat in the front part of the ambulance, with 
my finger resting upon the artery, above the wound, to arrest bleeding if it 
should occur. When I was recognized by acquaintances, and asked who was 
wounded, the general would tell me to say, " a Confederate officer." At one 
time, he put his right hand upon my head, and, pulling me down to him, asked 
if Crutchfield was dangerously wounded. When answered "No, only pain- 
fully hurt," he replied, " I am glad it is no worse." In a few moments after, 
Crutchfield did the same thing, and, when he was told that the general was 
seriously wounded, he groaned and cried out, " my God ! " It was for this 
that the general directed the ambulance to be halted, and requested that 
something should be done for Crutchfield's relief. 

After reaching the hospital, he was placed in bed, covered with blankets, 
and another drink of whiskey-and-water given him. Two hours and a half 
elapsed before sufficient reaction took place to warrant an examination. At 
two o'clock Sunday morning. Surgeons Black, Walls, and Coleman, being 
present, I informed him that chloroform would be given him, and his wounds 
examined. I told him that amputation would probably be required, and 
asked, if it was found necessary, whether it should be done at once. He 
rephed promptly, " Tea, certainly ; Dr. McGuire, do for me whatever you 



4:80 APPENDIX. 

think best." Chloroform was then administered, and as he began to feel its 
eflFects and its relief to the pain he was suffering, he exclaimed, "What an 
infinite blessing 1 " and continued to repeat the word " blessing" until he be- 
came insensible. The round ball — such as is used for the smooth-bore 
Springfield musket — which had lodged under the skin upon the back of his 
right hand, was extracted first ; it had entered the palm about the middle of 
the hand, and had fractured two of the bones. The left arm was then ampu- 
tated, about two inches below the shoulder, very rapidly, and with slight loss 
of blood, the ordinary circular operation having been made. There were two 
wounds in his arm, the first and most serious was about three inches below the 
shoulder-joint, the ball dividing the main artery, and fracturing the bone. The 
second was several inches in length ; a ball having entered the outside of the 
forearm, an inch below the elbow, came out upon the opposite side, just above 
the wrist. Throughout the whole of the operation, and until all the dressings 
were applied, he continued insensible. Two or three slight wounds of the 
skin of the face, received from the branches of trees, when his horse dashed 
through the woods, were dressed simply with isinglass plaster. About half- 
past three o'clock Colonel (then Major) Pendleton, the assistant adjutant- 
general, arived at the hospital, and asked to see the general. He stated that 
General Ilill had been wounded, and that the troops were in great disorder. 
General Stuart was in command, and had sent him to see the general. At 
first, I declined to permit an interview, but the colonel urged that the safety 
of the army and success of the cause depended upon his seeing him. When 
he entered the tent, the general said, " Well, major, I am glad to see you ; I 
thought you were killed." Pendleton briefly explained the condition of affairs, 
gave Stuart's message, and asked, what should be done. General Jackson 
was at once interested, and asked in his quick, rapid way, several questions. 
When they were answered, he remained silent for a moment, evidently trying 
to think ; he contracted his brow, set his mouth, and for some moments was 
obviously endeavoring to concentrate his thoughts. For a moment it was be- 
lieved he had succeeded, for his nostrils dilated, and his eye flashed its old fire, 
but it was only for a moment ; his face relaxed again, and presently he an- 
swered very feebly and sadly ; " I don't know — I can't toll ; say to General 
Stuart he must do what he thinks best." Soon after this he slept for several 
hours, and seemed to be doing well. The next morning he was free from 
pain, and expressed himself sanguine of recovery. He sent his aide-de-camp, 
Morrison, to inform his wife of his injuries, and to bring her at once to see 
him. The following note, from General Lee, was read to him that morning 
by Captain Smith : " I have just received your note, informing me that you 
were wounded. I cannot express my regret at the occurrence. Could I have 
directed events, I should have chosen, for the good of the country, to have 



DR. n. mcguire's account of his last hours. 481 

been disabled in your' stead. I congratulate you upon the victory wliich is 
due to your energy and skill." He replied, " General Lee should give the 
praise to God." About ten o'clock his right side began to pain him so much, 
that he asked me to examine it. He said he had injured it in falling from the 
litter the night before, and believed that he had struck it against a stone or 
the stump of a sapling. No evidence of injury could be discovered by ex- 
amination ; the skin was not broken or bruised, and the lung performed, as 
far as I could tell, its proper functions. Some simple application was recom- 
mended, in the belief that the pain would soon disappear. 

At this time the battle was raging fearfully, and the sound of the cannon 
and musketry could be distinctly heard at the hospital. The general's atten- 
tion was attracted to it from the first, and when the noise was at its height, and 
indicated how fiercely the conflict was being carried on, he directed all of his 
attendants, except Captain Smith, to return to the battle-field, and attend to 
their different duties. By eight o'clock, Sunday night, the pain in his side 
had disappeared, and in all respects he seemed to be doing well. He inquired 
minutely about the battle, and the different troops engaged, and his face 
would light up with enthusiasm and interest, when told how this brigade 
acted, or that officer displayed conspicuous courage, and his head gave the 
peculiar shake from side to side, and he uttered his usual " Good, good," with 
unwonted energy, when the gallant behavior of the " Stonewall " Brigade was 
alluded to. He said, " The men of that brigade will be, some day, proud to 
eay to their children, ' I was one of the Stonewall Brigade.' " He disclaimed 
any right of his own to the name Stonewall. " It belongs to the brigade and 
not to me." 

This night he slept well, and was free from pain. A message was re- 
ceived from General Lee the next morning, directing me to remove the gen- 
eral to Guinea's Station as soon as his condition would justify it, as there was 
some danger of capture by the Federals, who were threatening to cross at 
Ely's Ford. In the mean time, to protect the hospital, some troops were sent 
to this point. The general objected to being moved, if, in my opinion, it 
would do him any injury. He said he had no objection to staying in a tent, 
and would prefer it if his wife, when she came, could find lodging in a neigh- 
boring house. " And if the enemy does come," he added, " I am not afraid 
of them ; I have always been kind to their wounded, and I am sure they will 
be kind to me." General Lee sent word again, late that evening, that he 
must be moved if possible, and preparations were made to leave the next 
morning. I was directed to accompany and remain with him, and ray duties 
with the corps, as medical director, were turned over to the surgeon next in 
rank. General Jackson had previously declined to permit me to go with him 
to Guinea's, because complaints had been so frequently made of general of- 

31 



482 APPENDIX. 

ficcrs, when wounded, carrying off with them the surgeons belonging to their 
commands. When informed of this order of the commanding general he 
said, " General Lee has always been very kind to me, and I thank him." 
Very early Tuesday morning he was placed in an ambulance and started for 
Guinea's Station, and about eight o'clock that evening he arrived at the 
Chandler House, where he remained till he died. Captain Hotchkiss, with a 
party of engineers, was sent in front to clear the road of wood, stone, etc., 
and to order the wagons out of the track to let the ambulance pass. The 
rough teamsters sometimes refused to move their loaded wagons out of the 
way for an ambulance until told that it contained Jackson, and then, with all 
possible speed, they gave the way and stood nith hats off, and weeping as he 
went by. At Spottsylvania Court-IIouse, and along the whole I'oute, men and 
women rushed to the ambulance, bringing all the poor delicacies they had, 
and, with tearful eyes, they blessed him and prayed for his recovery. He 
bore the journey well, and was cheerful throughout the day. He talked freely 
about the late battle, and, among other things, said that he had intended to 
endeavor to cut the Federals off from the United States Ford, and, taking a 
position between them and the river, oblige them to attack him ; and, he 
added with a smile, " My men sometimes fail to drive the enemy from a posi- 
tion ; but they always fail to drive us away." He spoke of Rodes, and alluded 
in high terms to his magnificent behavior on the field on Saturday evening. 
He hoped he would be promoted. He thought promotions for gallantry should 
be made at once, upon the field, and not delayed ; made very early or upon 
the field, tlicy would be the greatest incentives to gallantry in others. He 
spoke of Colonel Willis,' who commanded the skirmishers of Rodes's division, 
and praised him very highly, and referred to the death of Paxton and Bos- 
well very feelingly. He alluded to them as oflicers of great merit and prom- 
ise. The day was quite warm, and at one time he suffered with slight nausea. 
At his suggestion, I placed over his stomach a wet towel, and he expressed 
great relief from it. After he arrived at Chandler's house, he ate some bread 
and tea with evident relish, and slept well throughout the entire night. 
Wednesday, he was thought to be doing remarkably well. He ate heartily, 
for one in his condition, and was uniformly cheerful. 

I found his wounds to be doing very well to-day. Union by the first in- 
tention had taken place to some extent in the stump, and the rest of the sur- 
face of the wound exposed was covered with healthy granulations. The 
wound in his hand gave him little pain, and the discharge was healthy. Sim- 
ple lint-and-water dressings were used, both for the stump and hand, and, 
upon the palm of the latter, a light short splint was applied to assist in keep- 
ing at rest the fragments of the second and third metacarpal bones. He 

> Subsequently killed In battle. 



DK. H. McGTJIEES ACCOUNT OF HIS LAST HOURS. 483 

expressed great satisfaction when told that his wounds were healing, and 
asked if I could tell from their appearance how long he would probably be 
kept from the field. Conversing with Captain Smith, a few moments after- 
ward, he alluded to his injuries and said, " Many would regard them as a 
great misfortune., I regard them as one of the blessings of my life." Cap- 
tain Smith replied, " All things work together for good to those who love 
God." "Yes," he answered, "that's it — that's it." 

At my request, Dr. Morrison came to-day and remained with him; 

About one o'clock on Thursday morning, while I was asleep upon a lounge 
in his room, he directed his servant, Jim, to apply a wet towel to his stomach, 
to relieve an attack of nausea with which he was again troubled. The servant 
asked permission to first consult me, but the general, knowing that I had 
slept none for nearly three nights, refused to allow the servant to disturb 
me, and demanded the towel. About daylight I was aroused, and found him 
suffering with great pain. An examination disclosed pleuro-pneumonia of 
the right side. I believed, and the consulting physicians concurred in the 
opinion, that it was attributable to the fall from the litter the night he was 
wounded. The general himself referred it to this accident. I think the dis- 
ease came on too soon after the application of the wet cloths to admit of the 
supposition, once believed, that it was induced by them. The nausea, for 
which the cloths were applied that night, may have been the result of inflam- 
mation already begun. Contusion of the lung, with extravasation of blood 
in his chest, was probably produced by the fall referred to, and shock and 
loss of blood prevented any ill effects until reaction had been well established, 
and then inflammation ensued. Cups were applied, and mercury, with anti- 
mony and opium, administered.' Toward the evening he seemed better, and 
hopes were again entertained of his recovery. Mrs. Jackson arrived to-day, 
and nursed him faithfully to the end. She was a devoted wife and earnest 
Christian, and endeared us all to her by her great kindness and gentleness. 
The general's joy at the presence of his wife and child was very great, and, 
for him, unusually demonstrative. Noticing the sadness of his wife, he said 
to her tenderly : " I know you would gladly give your life for me, but I am 
perfectly resigned. Do not be sad ; I hope I may yet recover. Pray for me, 
but always remember in your prayers to use the petition, ' Thy will be done.' " 
Friday his wounds were again dressed, and, although the quantity of the dis- 
charge from them had diminished, the process of healing was still going on. 
The pain in his side had disappeared, but he breathed with difficulty and com- 
plained of a feeling of great exhaustion. When Dr. Breckinridge (who, with 
Dr. Smith, had been sent for in consultation) said he hoped that a blister, 

1 A detailed account of the treatment is prevented by the loss of notes kept of the case. 

These notes, ^^ith other papers, were captured by the Federals, March, 1805. 



484: APPENDIX. 

which had been applied, would afford him relief, he expressed his own con- 
fidence in it and his final recovery. 

Dr. Tucker, from Richmond, arrived on Saturday, and all that human 
skill could devise was done to stay the hand of death. He suffered no pain 
to-day, and his breathing was less difficult, but he was evidently hourly grow- 
ing weaker. 

When his child was brought to him to-day, he played with it for some 
time ; frequently caressing it, and calling it his " Uttle comforter." At one 
time, he raised his wounded hand above its head, and, closing his eyes, was 
for some moments silently engaged in prayer. He said to me, " I see, from 
the number of physicians, that you think my condition dangerous, but I 
thank God, if it is his will, that I am ready to go," About daylight, on 
Sunday morning, Mrs. Jackson informed him that his recovery was very 
doubtful, and that it was better that he should be prepared for the worst. 
He was silent for a moment, and then said, " It will be infinite gain to be 
translated to heaven." He advised his wife, in the event of his death, to re- 
turn to her father's house, and added, " You have a kind and good father, 
but there is no one so kind and good as your heavenly Father." He still 
expressed a hope of his recovery, but requested her, if he should die, to have 
him buried in Lexington, in the Valley of Virginia. His exhaustion in- 
creased so rapidly, that at eleven o'clock Mrs. Jackson knelt by his bed, and 
told him that before the sun went down he would be with his Saviour. He 
replied : " Oh, no ! you are frightened, my child, death is not so near ; I may 
yet get well." She fell over upon the bed, weeping bitterly, and told him 
again that the physicians said there was no hope. After a moment's pause, 
he asked her to call me. " Doctor, Anna informs me that you have told her 
that I am to die to-day ; is it so ? " "\\Tien he was answered, he turned his 
eyes toward the ceiling, and gazed for a moment or two, as if in intense 
thought, then replied : " Very good, very good, it is all right." He then tried 
to comfort his almost heart-broken wife, and told her he had a good deal to 
say to her, but he was too weak. Colonel Pendleton came into the room 
about one o'clock, and he asked him, " Who is preaching at headquarters 
to-day ? " When told that the whole army was prating for him, he replied : 
" Thank God — they are very kind." He said, " It is the Lord's day ; my 
wish is fulfilled. I have always desired to die on Sunday." 

His mind now began to fail and wander, and he frequently talked as if in 
command upon the field, giving orders in his old way; then the scene shifted, 
and he was at the mess-table, in conversation with members of his staff; now 
with his wife and child; now at prayers with his military family. Occa- 
sional intervals of return of his mind would appear, and, during one of them, 
I offered him some brandy-and-water, but be declined it, saying : " It will only 



THE GEIEF OF THE SOUTH. 485 

delay my departure, and do no good ; I want to preserve my mind, if possi- 
ble, to the last." About half-past one he was told that he had but two hours 
to live, and he answered again, feebly, but firmly, " Very good, it is all right." 
A few moments before he died, he cried out in his delirium : " Order A. P. 
Hill to prepare for action ! pass the infantry to the front rapidly ! tell Major 
Hawks " — then stopped, leaving the sentence unfinished. Presently a smile 
of ineffable sweetness spread itself over his pale face, and he said quietly, 
and with an expression, as if of relief, "Let us cross over the river, and rest 
under the shade of the trees ; " and then, without pain, or the least struggle, 
his spirit passed from earth to the God who gave it. 

The grief of the South on the death of Jackson may be recalled 
in the following extracts from the Richmond papers of the next 
day: 

Richmond, the capital of the Confederacy and the Commonwealth of Vir- 
ginia, yesterday received into its great heart, bursting with grief, the mortal 
remains of her gallant son and the nation's hero and hope, General T. J. 
Jackson — a name henceforth immortal. Had a visible pall overspread the 
city it could not have expressed grief more profound nor sorrow more uni- 
versal than that which filled every heart and sat upon every countenance. 
It was as though death had come home to every household and snatched the 
one dearest away. 

The recommendation of the mayor, closing places of business after 10 
A. M., was generally complied with, and the flags on the public build- 
ings of the State and Confederate Government floated at half-mast, and the 
departments, State and Confederate, were also closed after 12 ir. It was 
announced that the special train bearing the remains would arrive at the 
Fredericksburg depot at noon, and a tide of human beings began to set in 
that direction as early as ten o'clock. By noon a mass of men, women, and 
children filled Broad Street for several squares above and below the depot. 
The rays of the sun shone intensely hot, but the crowd showed no diminution 
in numbers until nearly one o'clock, when it was announced that in conse- 
quence of some unavoidable delay the train would not arrive with the re- 
mains before 4 p. m., and such an announcement was bulletined at the 
newspaper offices and about the city, and the crowds gradually dwindled 
away to await that hour. At the hour named the assemblage on Broad 
Street was even gi-eater than befoi'C, and hundreds gathered in the Capitol 
Square in anticipation of the passage of the cortege to the hall of the Capitol, 
where the body was to be deposited in state. 

Shortly after four o'clock the special train was announced, and drove 
slowly up into the depot, the bells of the city meanwhile sending their solemn 



486 APPENDIX. 

peals over the city and into thousands of throbbing hearts. The coffin con- 
taining the remains was removed from the car and enshrouded yrhh the flag 
under which the Christian hero fought and fell, covered with spring flower.>5 
placed upon the hearse in waiting. The cortege then formed in the following 
order: Major-General Elzeyand staflF, mounted ; Public State Guard, with flag 
draped ; Forty -fourth North Carolina regiment. Colonel Singletary, General 
Pettigrcw's brigade, with arms reversed ; armory band ; Colonel Skinner, of 
the First Virginia ; Colonel S. Bassett French, aide to the Governor ; hearse 
with black plumes and drawn by a pair of black steeds ; General Jackson's 
stafl', dismounted and craped ; members of the City Council on foot ; citizens. 
The cortecje moved, the band playing the " Dead March," and entering the 
Capitol Square by the main gate-way (on Ninth Street) proceeded direct to the 
Governor's mansion. The square was lined by the thousands who followed 
the cortege^ and it was with difficulty the guard at the gate kept the crowd 
there. The line halted as the head reached the mansion-gate, and the mili- 
tary filed into line, and General Elzey and staff riding to the front, the hearse 
followed, and the coffin was lifted and borne forward into the mansion, the 
dead hero's stall', the mayor and City Council, and others, following uncov- 
ered. Meanwhile the band at the extremity of the line continued the per- 
formance of the dirge, and the bells tolled out solemnly and then ceased, 
and the throngs and escort began to desert the square. During the morn- 
ing of the pageant from the depot to the Governor's mansion the exhibitions 
of the public grief were frequent and unrestrained. Tears stood in the eyes 
of stern men and gentle women as they gazed upon the coffin, as though 
they doubted that it contained in its narrow space the remains of one who 
was once so great, so true, and so beloved. The body was deposited in the 
reception parlor of the mansion, and the coffin-lid being removed a few pres- 
ent availed themselves of the opportunity to look upon the features. 

T}ie Lying in State of the Body of General Jackson at the Capitol. — The 

Throngs to take a Last Look of Him. — His Appearance in the CoJJin. — 

The Cortege moving through the Streets. — Impressive Scoies. — All Jiich- 

mond in Habiliments of Sorrow. 

The ceremony of transferring the remains of the late General T. J. Jackson 

from the Governor's mansion to the Capitol was yesterday (May 15, 1863) 

made the occasion of a solemn pageant, in which the Confederate and State 

officials from the highest to the lowest, and citizens, joined with one heart 

and feeling. Thougli no such action was officially recommended, the public 

Borrow prompted it, and many places of business, es]iecially along the route 

indicated for the procession to move, were closed. The tolling of the bells 

was the first summons to the square, but some time before the hour (ten 



LYING IN STATE OF THE BODY AT THE CAPITOL. 487 

o'clock) several tliousand citizens, among them hundreds of ladies and chil- 
dren, had assembled in the square. The procession of military officials and 
citizens was formed on Capitol Street, the head of the line resting on Gov- 
ernor Street. At the main-gateway entrance stood the hearse, tastefully 
decked, and to which four white steeds were attached. In them ansion were 
assembled officers and officials of distinction, a few friends of the late gen- 
eral and the pall-bearers, comprising six major and brigadier generals, in 
full uniform, wearing the usual badge of mourning. The body, prepared and 
embalmed during the night, was contained in an elegant metallic burial-case, 
which stood in a raised position in the centi'e of the reception-room en- 
shrouded in the Confederate standard. Bouquets of flowers and wreaths, the 
tributes of the tender hands of patriotic but sorrow-stricken ladies, covered 
the pall. 

At about eleven o'clock, the line being formed and every thing in readi- 
ness, the coffin was borne from the mansion to the hearse, the crowd assem- 
bled instinctively uncovering their heads as the bier passed to the hearse. 
The line then began to move slowly to the music of the " Dead March in 
Saul," and the firing of a signal-gun in the square gave information of that 
fact to the thousands who could not get within sight of the line. The 
throngs on the square at this moment were very dense, as well as on Cap- 
itol and Governor Streets, the masses blocking the sidewalks of the latter 
thoroughfare as far down as Main Street. The line of the procession, getting 
under way, moved down Governor Street in the following order : Two reo-i- 
ments of General Pickett's division (the Nineteenth and Fifty-sixth Virginia) 
with arms reversed, headed by the Armory Band ; Public Guard, with arms 
reversed ; General Pickett and staff, mounted ; Fayette Artillery Company, 
six pieces and caissons, two pieces abreast, drawn by six horses each ; Cap- 
tain Wrenn's cavalry company, with sabres reversed ; hearse, with corpse 
followed by the war-steed of the dead hero caparisoned and led by a groom ; 
members of the old " Stonewall Brigade," composed of invalids and others 
not now in the ranks (those attracted much sympathetic notice as they moved 
with slow tread and downcast look, as though each were following the corpse 
of a father); Volandt's band; Major-General Elzey and staff, mounted; 
generals officiating as pall-bearers, etc., among them Lieutenant-General 
Longstreet, Brigadier-Generals Winder, Garnet, Kemper, and Corse, Commo- 
dore Forrest, all in full uniform and mounted ; Provost-Marshal Griswold and 
Assistant Booker, and other officials of the Department of Henrico ; the 
President of the Confederate States and Colonel Davis in a carriage ; heads 
and clerks of the Confederate States departments on foot ; heads and clerks 
of the State departments ; Governor and aides ; mayor and members of City 
Council; Hustings Court ; judges and clerks ; judges and officers of the Con- 
federate States District Court ; carriages, and citizens on foot. 



488 APPENDIX. 

Tlie line wound around Governor and up Main Street, and was fully three- 
quarters of a mile in length. Main Street, from Governor Street to the 
Spotswood Hotel was thronged with the populace and soldiery, and every- 
where heads were lowered and voices subdued — the wailing of the martial 
music, the measured beat of the drum, and march of the procession alone 
being heard. The bells were tolled and the gun in the square fired at inter- 
vals — once when the head of the procession reached the corner of Grace and 
Second Streets ; again when at the gate, and again when the bier was borne 
up the west entrance of the Capitol. 

Long before the cortege arrived, however, the steps and the windows of 
the Capitol were packed with ladies and children, who sought an elevation 
to get a better view of the pageant. Arrived at the gate-way, the procession 
halted, and no part of it was admitted save the Public Guard, with Volandt's 
band, General Elzey and staff, the staff of the deceased general, pall-bearers, 
and hearse, which was driven around the gravel-walk to the foot of the steps. 
The guards then drew up at a present arms, the band playing a low dirge, 
and the coffin was borne up the steps, and into the hall of the House of Rep- 
resentatives. Here, in front of the Speaker's chair, an altar was erected 
which received the bier. It was covered with white linen looped up with 
crape. The hall was also appropriately clothed in mourning, the Confederate 
standards being folded along the face of the gallery and draped. The body 
was deposited in the Capitol at 12 m., and immediately the cortege dispersed 
from the square, but not so with the people. Theirs was a dearer privilege ; 
they came to claim the melancholy satisfaction of looking upon the face of 
the dead Jackson. 

The crowd and pressure of the throng on the doorway of the hall, after 
the entrance of the body, were very great, the ladies struggling for a first ad- 
mittance. The embalmer, who was present for that purpose, unclosed the 
case, exposing the face and bust of the dead, and the assemblage was ad- 
mitted to a last look upon it. If the multitude lost the decorum becoming 
the solemn occasion, it may be charitably attributed to their love and venera- 
tion of the object. The rush of visitors to the silent levee of the distin- 
guished dead continued throughout the afternoon, a perfect stream of ladies 
and gentlemen pouring in and out of the hall. One look, though it sufficed 
not, was all that could be obtained by each visitor, the throng behind press- 
ing the visitor forward — the features of the mighty warrior in death's repose 
graven upon and borne away upon the tablets of the memory of all. Chil- 
dren of tender years, maiden and youth, who had never seen " Stonewall " 
Jackson living, crowded in, full of the parental injunction to look upon the 
features of "Stonewall" Jackson dead. What a memory these youthful 
minds bore away, to be recalled when their children's children speak of him 



GENERAL JACKSON S EEMAES'S AT LEXINGTON. 489 

in after-years ! It was estimated that fully twenty thousand persons viewed 
the body after its lying in state yesterday, and the number gratified would 
doubtless have been much greater had the arrangements been better. 

The face of the dead, to our view, displayed the same indomitable lines of 
firmness, with the long, slightly-aquiline nose, and high forehead of marble 
whiteness, but the cheeks presented a death-pallor. The eyelids were firmly 
closed, the mouth natural, and the whole contour of the face composed, the 
full beard and mustache remaming. The body was dressed in a full citizen's 
suit, it being the object of his friends, and we doubt not the nation's wish, 
to preserve the uniform in which he fought and fell. The doors of the hall 
were kept open to visitors until nine last evening, when they were closed, and 
Richmond took her farewell of Stonewall Jackson. The remains will leave 
for Lexington this morning, between six and seven o'clock, in a special train 
over the Central Railroad, in charge of a becoming escort of officials and 
citizens. In recognition of the solemn occasion, all the places of amusement 
were closed last evening. 

The remains of General Jackson were taken from Eichmond to 
Lexington under military escort. An account published in the 
newspapers at the time gives the following description of the recep- 
tion and interment at that place : 

GENERAL JACKSON'S REMAINS AT LEXINGTON. 

The remains of General Jackson were received at the boat-landing by 
the corps of cadets under General F. H. Smith, the professors of the Insti- 
tute, and a large number of citizens, and were escorted in a solemn proces- 
sion to the Institute barracks, where they were deposited in the old lecture- 
room of the illustrious deceased. The room was just as he left it two years 
before, save that it was heavily draped in mourning, not having been occu- 
pied during his absence. The hall, which so often echoed the voice of the 
modest and unknown professor, received back the laurel-crowned hero with 
the applause of the world and the benedictions of a nation resting upon him. 
It was a touching scene, and brought tears to many eyes. When the body 
was deposited just in front of the favored chair from which the lectures were 
delivered, professors, students, visitors, all, were deeply moved by the sad, 
solemn occasion, and gazed in mute sorrow on the affecting spectacle of the 
dead hero lying in his familiar lecture-room. Guns were fired every half- 
hour during the day in honor of the departed chieftain, and an air of gloom 
was visible on every face. 

The funeral took place at the Presbyterian church, of which the deceased 



490 APPENDIX. 

was a member, Dr. White, the able pastor, olBciating. The remains were 
then deposited in the cemetery connected with the same church, where the 
first wife and child of General Jackson are buried. 

STONEWALL JACKSON'S CHARACTER. 

And now it only remains to give an analysis of his character: 
As a soldier Jackson was famous for t1ie rapidity of his move- 
ments. In the spring of 18G2, Avheu General Banks, supposing that 
he was far from the Valley, sent a column of his army to attack the 
flank of General Johnston, then falling back from Manassas, and 
started himself to report to Washington, Jackson suddenly wheeled, 
marched twenty-six miles the first day, and eighteen by ten o'clock 
the next morning, and struck at Kernstown a blow which brought 
back the column moving on Johnston's flank and disconcerted Mc- 
Clellan's whole plan of campaign. A few weeks later, just as Banks 
had telegraphed to Washington that the " rebel General Jackson 
was in full retreat on Gordonsvillc," he appeared at McDowell, de- 
feated Fremont's advance under Milroy, joined Ewell at New Market, 
captured Front Royal, marched all night, and captured Winchester 
early next morning, and drove the remnant of Banks's army across 
the Potomac before the Northern peojile were aware that he was 
north of Staunton. Learning that Shields and Fremont were en- 
deavoring to form a junction in his rear, he marched his already 
broken-down troops t?tirty miles a day till he passed the point of 
danger, and then moved quietly up the Valley until at Cross 
Keys and Port Republic he suflered himself to be " caught," and 
defeated in detail the two armies sent to " crush '' him. One of his 
biographers well puts it: "In thirty-two days he had marched 
nearly four hundred miles, skirmishing almost daily, fought five 
battles, defeated three armies, two of which were completely routed, 
captured about twenty pieces of artillery, some four thousand pris- 
oners, and immense quantities of stores of all kinds, and had done 
all this with a loss of less than one thousand men, killed, wounded, 
and missing." In his celebrated march to the rear of the braggart 
Pope (who " knew no lines of retreat ") he made sixty miles in two 
days, and on various other occasions he made as good time. His 
men rejoiced in the sobriquet of " Jackson's foot cavalry," and it was 
a glorious sight to witness the cheerful alacrity witii which they re- 
epondcd to every call*of their chief. 



Ajs^alysis of geneeal Jackson's chaeactee. 491 

General Jackson was an exceedingly modest man. He rarely made 
allusion to his own exploits, and then in the most delicate manner, 
giving the honor of the achievements to his officers and men. He 
was accustomed to say that the name " Stonewall," which has be- 
come so famou?i, was not his, but belonged of right to his old bri- 
gade, who had bravely won it on the plains of Manassas. He wrote 
to his wife the day after this battle : 

" Yesterday we fought a great battle, and gained a great victory, for which 
all the glory is due to God alone. Though under a heavy fire for several con- 
tinuous hours, I only received one wound, the breaking of the largest finger 
of the left hand, but the doctor says the finger can be saved. My horse 
was wounded, but not killed. My coat got an ugly wound near the hip. My 
preservation was entirely due, as was the glorious victory, to our God, to 
whom be all the glory, honor, and praise. While great credit is due to other 
parts of our gallant army, God made my brigade more instrumental than any 
other in repulsing the main attack. This is for your own information only ; 
.... say nothing about it. Let another speak praise, not myself." 

In reply to letters from his noble wife in which, with commend- 
able pride, she complained that others were receiving in the news- 
papers praise which justly belonged to him, he wrote under date 
of July 29, 1861: 

" You must not be concerned at seeing other parts of the army lauded, 
and my brigade not mentioned. ' Truth is powerful and will prevail.' When 
the reports are published, if not before, I expect to see justice done to this 
noble body of patriots." 

And again, under date of August 5th, he wrote : 

" You think that the papers ought to say more about me. My brigade 
is not a brigade of newspaper correspondents. I know that the First Bri- 
gade was the first to meet and pass our retreating forces, to push on with no 
other aid than the smiles of God, to boldly take its position with the artillery 
that was under my command, to arrest the victorious foe in his onward prog- 
ress, to hold him in check until reenforcements arrived, and finally to charge 
bayonets, and, thus advancing, pierce the enemy's centre. I am well satisfied 
with what it did, and so are my generals, Johnston and Beauregard. . . . 
I am thankful to our ever-kind heavenly Father, that he makes me content 
to await his owa. good time and pleasure for commendation, knowing that 
all things work together for my good. Never distrust our God, who doeth 
all things well. In due time he will make manifest all his pleasure, which 



492 APPENDED. 

is all his people should ever desire. If my brigade can always play as im- 
portant and useful a part as in the last battle, I shall always be very grate- 
ful, I trutit." 

Soon after one of the great battles a large crowd gathered one 
day at the post-office in Lexington, anxiously awaiting the opening 
of the mail, that they might get the particulars concerning the great 
battle whicli they had heard had been fought. The venerable pastor 
of the Presbyterian church (Rev. Dr. W. S. "White, from whom I 
I'eceived the incident), was of the company, and soon had handed 
him a letter whicli he recognized as directed in Jackson's well- 
known handwriting. "Now," said he, "we will have the news! 
Here is a letter from General Jackson himself." The crowd eager- 
ly gathered around, but heard to their very great disappointment 
a letter which made not the most remote allusion to the battle or 
the war, but which inclosed a check for fifty dollars with which 
to buy books for his colored Sunday-school, and was filled Avith 
inquiries after the interests of the school, and the church. He had 
no time or inclination to write of the great victory, and the im- 
perishable laurels he was winning ; but he found time to remem- 
ber his noble work among God's poor, and to contribute further 
to the good of the negro children, whose true friend and benefactor 
he had always been. 

At the council-board he is said to have deferred a good deal to 
the views of others and to have stated his own with exceeding diffi- 
dence, albeit they were generally so just as to carry conviction to 
the minds of all. And yet his modesty did not carry him to the 
extent of yielding to insubordination, or allowing his orders to be 
set at naught by his inferiors. lie was a rigid disciplinarian, and 
held as tight a rein over his highest officers as over his humblest pri- 
vates. He ordered frequent drills when in camp, and often came 
unannounced upon the parade-ground to see that his orders were 
properly carried out ; and woe to the unlucky wight who thought 
to set them aside with impunity! He frowned upon the slightest 
deviation from the letter of his orders, and was prompt to visit the 
olTender with punishment. 

One day during the celebrated Valley campaign I happened to 
hear a colloquy between him and a certain brigade commander who 
had failed to execute an order he had given. Jackson asked very 



ANALYSIS OF GEKEEAL JACKSOn's CHARACTER. 493 

quietly why the order bad not been obeyed, and the officer began 
an argument to prove that the course he had pursued was better 
than that ordered. " That may be all very true," calmly replied the 
stern superior, " l)ut you ought to have executed the order first, and 
then reasoned about it afterward. Consider yourself under arrest, 
sir." J^ 

But he was willing to submit to the same discipline himself 
which he required of others. Not long before his death he was sum- 
moned as a witness in a case set for trial on a particular day before 
a special court-martial, of which the lamented Colonel Willis, of the 
Twelfth Georgia Infantry, was president. He forgot the day, and 
failed to appear, and Colonel Willis promptly reported him to Gen- 
eral Lee, He wrote at once a very humble apology, in which he com- 
plimented Colonel Willis for reporting him, assured the court that 
he meant no disrespect by his non-attendance, and promised to be 
punctually present at any time they might then fix. 

General Jackson was reserved and quiet in his manners, and 
often very taciturn. He would pace for hours in front of his quar- 
ters, or ride along the road without remark, but deep in his own 
thoughts. And yet he was extremely polite to all who visited him 
in the few leisure moments which he had. He was content to share 
the hardships and privations of his men. He rarely ever made his 
headquarters in a house, and was without a tent even during his 
active campaigns ; making a fence-corner his bedchamber, he would 
breakfast on "hard-tack" and a little bit of bacon fried on the coals, 
and be off by daylight to put his column in motion. It is said that 
the fatal disease which produced his death was brought on by his 
rising from his bivouac the night before the battle of Chancellors- 
ville and throwing his only covering over a young officer of his staff 
who was sleeping at his side. During the winter of 1863-'63 he was 
a regular attendant at the chapel of his old brigade, and used fre- 
quently to " play sexton " for them, pointing out seats, etc., and 
when he saw the men manifesting an indisposition to crowd him he 
would catch hold of and pull them down beside him, showing that 
he did not object to sitting alongside the humblest private in his 
ranks. 

He was unceasingly active in giving his personal attention to 
even the smallest details. Seeing a wagon of his train stalled upon 
one of his marches, and some lazy wagoners standing near deploring 



494: APPENDIX. 

the mishap, but making no effort to extricate it, he dismounted, put 
his own shoulder to the ■nheel, and, after the wagon was got out, 
waited to see the mud-hole filled up, and tlie rest of the train passed 
over in safety. He was accustomed to have an interview with his 
quartermaster and commissary every day, and keep accurately in- 
formed as to the condition of their departments. And it is a re- 
markable fact that he rarely ever left so much as a wagon-wheel to 
the enemy, and was compelled to destroy very little property of any 
descrijition. Not content with learning merely what his maps could 
teach him of the topography of the country, he was accustomed to 
have frequent interviews with citizens, and to give his own personal 
inspection to the roads, etc. Being called to his headquarters on 
one occasion to give information concerning the roads in a section 
of country which he had known intimately from boyhood, the writer 
was sui-prised to find the general perfectly acquainted with every 
by-road. He always reconnoitred himself, at whatever personal dan- 
ger, the position of the enemy, and the nature of the ground over 
which he expected to fight. Often at night when the army was 
wrapped in sleep, this great man would ride alone to inspect some 
road by which on the morrow he meant to sti'ike the enemy in the 
flank or rear. It is related of him that, the night before the first 
battle of Manassas, he allowed the sentinels of his brigade all to re- 
tire, and rode himself all night around the camp — " the lone sentinel 
of that weary host of Virginia heroes." 

Another important element of his success was the secrecy with 
which he formed and executed his plans — the consummate skill with 
which he concealed his piurposcs from even his own officers and men. 
It was a common remark in his command, " If the Yankees are as 
ignorant of this movement as we are, ' Old Jack ' has them." Imme- 
diately after the battle of " Port Republic," reenforcements were sent 
him from Richmond, and it was the general opinion in the army and 
among the people that we would advance down the Valley again. 
The writer heard General Ewell remark to his chief of staff, who was 
going to Staunton on a few days' leave of absence, that " he need not 
hurry back, as the army would rest there eight or ten days before 
sweeping down the Valley again." The next morning at daybreak 
Jackson put his army in motion for Richmond, leaving a brigade of 
cavalry to watch the enemy, who were in such i)rofound ignorance of 
his movements that, at the very time he was thundering on McClellan's 



AlfALYSIS OF GENERAL JACKSON's CHAKACTEE. 495 

riglit flank, they were intrencliing against an expected, attack from 
liim. Our own army and people were in the same ignorance. At 
Charlottesville it was expected that we would turn oft' through Greene 
and Madison Counties. At Gordonsville a Presbyterian minister, at 
whose house Grpneral Jackson made his headquarters, told me as a 
secret not to be breathed, that we were to " march at daylight the 
next morning for Culpeper Court-House, to intercept a column of 
the enemy coming across the mountains." At Hanover Junction we 
exjjected to head toward Fredericksburg to meet McDowell, and it 
was only on the day on which the great battles opened that the men 
began " to see what old Jack was after," and rend the air with shouts 
of anticipated victory. General Jackson himself, accompanied only 
by a single guide, left the army at Frederickshall, Louisa County, 
about midnight (missing the elegant breakfast which a gentleman 
sent for him the next morning to partake of), and rode on horseback 
to Richmond, pressing several horses on the way from citizens, who 
grumbled loudly at having to give uj) their horses to " that courier," 
little suspecting who he was or the great mission he was on. 

It is said that on this march Jackson met one of Hood's men 
straggling from the road, and asked him where he was going. 

" I do not know, sir," promptly responded the Texan. 

" What command do you belong to ? " 

" I do not know, sir." 

" What State are you from ? " 

" Don't know, sir." 

" Well," said the general, a little impatiently, " what do you 
know ? " 

" Nothing at all, sir, on this march, for old Stonewall says we 
must be know-nothings till after the next battle, and I am not going 
to disobey orders." 

I remember the astonishment exhibited by a staff-officer cap- 
tured by some of my regiment the morning of the great battle of 
Gaines's Mill, when told that we belonged to " Jackson's army." 

" I thought," said he, " that Jackson was in the Valley. All is 
lost if he is here." 

Just before the battle of Cedar Run Mountain, General- Ewell 
rode up to the house of a citizen whom he knew well, while the 
troops were lying in the road awaiting orders, and asked : 

" Dr. , can you tell me which way we are going ? " 



496 APPENDIX. 

'' That question I should like to ask you, general, if it were a 
proper one." 

" I pledge you my word," said the general, " that I do not know 
whether we will march north, south, east, or west. General Jack- 
son ordered me to have my division ready to move, and that is gen- 
erally as much as I know of his plans." 

His march to Pope's rear was so rapidly and so secretly made» 
that the authorities at Washington thought it a mere raiding-i^arty, 
and sent up one brigade to disperse the " raiders." 

So secretly did he execute his great flank movement at Chancel- 
lorsville that Hooker thought him "in full retreat on Richmond," 
and was just about to begin a " hot pursuit " when " Howard's Fly- 
ing Dutchmen " announced his true whereabouts. 

A Federal colonel, who was guarded to Richmond after this bat- 
tle by a friend of the writer's, said that just before Jackson's guns 
were heard his surgeon oflered to bet one hundred dollars that 
" Jackson would turn up in the rear." He at once took the bet, in 
the firm conviction that such a move was impossible ; but it had 
hardly been closed, when " firing" opened in the rear, a Confederate 
yell rose above the din of battle, " Howard's Flying Dutchmen" 
rushed pell-mell from the woods, a ragged rebel demanded his sur- 
render, and the surgeon claimed the stakes. 

After the rest of General Lee's army had crossed the mountains 
to East Virginia, in the autumn of 1862, a friend told the writer 
that "Jackson's corps would certainly winter in the Valley, for the 
general had rented a house for his family." "We marched at day- 
break the next morning for East Virginia, and the glorious battle- 
field of first Fredericksburg. 

Jackson seemed to penetrate the plans of the enemy, and to be 
cognizant of their every move by intuition. During the march to 
Hooker's rear he said suddenly to Rev. B. T. Lacy, who was acting as 
his guide: "As soon as tlie enemy miss me from their front they 
will send a column to the plank-road. I wish you to guide two bri- 
gades to that point, that they may be ready to meet the enemy and 
cover my movement." The order was executed, and the brigades 
had barely got into position when they were attacked at the very 
point which Jackson had indicated. 

He was remarkable for the short, cool orders which he gave upon 
the battle-field. Just before the battle of Cedar Run Mountain, 



ANALYSIS OF GENERAL JACKSOn's CHAEACTEE. 497 

Colonel Pendleton (a gallant young officer of Jackson's staflT) rode 
up to General Early, whose brigade was in advance, and said : 
" General Jackson sends his compliments, and says advance on the 
enemy." 

" General Early's compliments to General Jackson, and tell him 
I will do it," was the reply. And thus opened that battle about 
the responsibility for the commencement of which Generals Pope 
and Banks had so lengthy and acrimonious a dispute. 

On the eve of another battle a staff-officer rode up to Jackson 
and said, " General Ewell sends his compliments, and says he is 
ready." " General Jackson's compliments, and tell him to proceed," 
was the laconic reply ; and thus the fight opened. 

At Cold Harbor on the memorable 27th of June, 1862, after 
he had got his corps in position, the great chieftain spent a few 
moments in earnest prayer, and then said quietly to one of his staff: 
" Tell General Ewell to drive the enemy." Soon the terrible shock 
of battle was joined, and he sat quietly on his sorrel, sucking a lemon 
and watching through his glasses the progress of the fight. Pres- 
ently a stafl-officer of General Ewell galloped up and exclaimed, 
"General Ewell says, sir, that it is almost impossible for him to 
advance farther unless that battery (pointing to it) is silenced." 
'' Go tell Major Andrews to bring sixteen pieces of artillery to bear 
on that battery and silence it immediately," was the prompt reply. 
Soon the battery was silenced. " Now," said he, " tell General Ew- 
ell to drive them ; " and right nobly did Ewell and his gallant men 
obey the order. During the hottest of the fire on that memorable 
day General Lee (liis noble spirit stirred within him at the slaugh- 
ter of his men) turned to Jackson and exclaimed, "Is it possible for 
your men to stand that fire much longer ? " " Yes, sir, I think it is," 
was the laconic reply of the iron chief; and then, turning to an aid, 
he said, " Go tell General Ewell to cease firing and charge with the 
bayonet." 

When, on his great flank movement at Chancellorsville, General 
Fitz Lee sent for him to ascend a hill from which he could view the 
enemy's position, he merely glanced at it once, when he formed his 
plan, and said quickly to an aide, " Tell my column to cross that 
road." 

We have seen him giving A. P. HiU the order, " Press them and, 
cut them off from the United States Ford,'''' and that, as he was borne 
32 



498 APPEJSTDIX. 

bleeding, mnngled, and fainting from the field, he roused himself to 
give, with something of the old fire, his last order, " General Pen- 
der, you must liold your position ! " 

HIS CHRISTIAN CHARACTER. 

But it remains to notice what must ever be regarded as the con- 
trolling power of this great man's life — I mean his simple-hearted, 
earnest piety. Jackson had become a Christian some time before ; 
but it was not until November 22, 1851, that he made public profes- 
sion of religion and united with the Presbyterian church in Lexing- 
ton, then under the care of the venerable and beloved Rev. Dr. W. 
S. White, whose recent death had been so widely lamented. 

The following incident not only illustrates his Christian charac- 
ter, but gives the key-note to his whole life : 

Not very long after his connection with the church the pastor 
preached a sermon on prayer, in which it was urged that every male 
church-memler ought when occasion required to lead in public prayer. 
The next day Mr. Lyle, a faithful elder of the church, asked Major 
Jackson what he thought of the doctrine of the sermon, and if he 
was not convinced that he ought to lead in public prayer. " I do 
not think it my duty," he replied, and went on to assign as his rea- 
son that he hesitated in his speech to such an extent when excited 
that he did not think he could " pray to edification " in public. 
" Have you made the matter a subject of secret prayer ? " persisted 
the elder. "No, sir, but I will do so to-night." The elder then 
advised him also to consult his pastor, and he went at once to Dr. 
White's study and went over with him the arguments and passages 
of Scripture by which he supported his position. The next day tlie 
elder saw him walking rapidly by his place of business, and fearing 
that he wished to avoid the subject of their previous conversation 
he called him back and asked, " Have you made that matter a sub- 
ject of prayerful investigation, major? " " Yes, sir, and I was just 
on my way to ask Dr. White to call on me to lead in prayer at the 
meeting to-night." Soon after he was called on, and made such a 
stammering effort that the pastor felt badly for him, and told him 
that he did not wish to make the meeting uncomfortable to him, 
and would not call on him again if he preferred it. '' My comfort 
has nothing to do with it, sir ; the Scriptures seem to teach that it 



HIS CHRISTIAN CHAEACTEK. 499 

is my duty, and I want you to call on me whenerer you think 
proper," was the prompt reply. It is needless to add that he soon 
became " gifted in prayer." 

He was a " deacon" (not an " elder," as has been frequently as- 
serted) in the church, and was untiring in the discharge of all the 
duties of the position. On one occasion he went at the appointed 
hour to attend a " deacons' meeting " at which there was important 
business to be transacted, and after waiting five minuter for several 
absentees (pacing back and forth, watch in hand), he asked to be 
excused for a while, and darted off to the residence of one of them. 
Kinging the door-bell violently the gentleman came out and Jackson 

accosted him with " Mr. , it is eight minutes after eight o'clock " 

(the hour appointed for the meeting). "Yes, major, I am aware of 
that, but I didn't have time to go out to-night." " Didn't have 
time ? " retorted the deacon ; " why, sir, I should not suppose that 
you Tiad time for any thing else ; did we not set apart this hour (only 
one in the month) for the service of the church ? How then can 
you put aside your obligations in the matter?" "With this he 
abruptly started back to the meeting, and his brother deacon felt so 
keenly his rebuke that he immediately followed. There was no 
difficulty in the finances of that church as long as " Deacon " Jack- 
son managed them. 

He was once collector for the Rockbridge Bible Society, and 
when the time came to report (to the surprise of his colleagues) he 
reported contributions from a number of negroes, remarking in ex- 
planation : " They are poor, but ought not on that account to be 
denied the sweet privilege of helping so good a cause." He also 
reported : " I have a contribution from every person in my district 
except one lady. She has been away ever since I was appointed 
collector, but she will return home at twelve to-day, and I will see 
her at one o'clock." The next day he reported a contribution from 
her also. 

He frequently sought the counsel and instruction of his pastor, 
upon whom he looked as his " superior officer," and to whom he 
would sometimes " report for orders." He was never blessed with 
large pecuniary means, but was always a most liberal contributor to 
every charitable object, and ever ready "to visit the fatherless and 
the widow in distress." 

\rackson was one of the most thoroughly conscientious masters 



500 APPENDIX. 

who ever lived. He not only treated his negroes kindly, but he de- 
voted himself most assiduously to their religious instruction. He 
was not only accustomed (as were Christian masters generally at the 
South) to invite his servants in to family prayers, but he also had 
a special meeting with them every Sunday afternoon in order to 
teach them the Scriptures. He made this exercise so interesting to 
them that other negroes of the town craved the privilege of attend- 
ing, and he soon had his room full to overflowing of eager pupils. 
This suggested to him the idea of organizing a negro Sunday-school, 
which he did several years before the war, and to which he devoted 
all of the energies of his mind, and all the zeal of his large Christian 
heart./ 

He was accustomed to prepare himself for the exercises of this 
school by the most careful study of the lessons. I have just learned 
a touching incident of his habit in this respect which has never 
before been in print. The day before he left home for the war was 
Saturday, and he was very busy all day long making every prepara- 
tion to leave at a moment's warning. Ho paid all outstanding ac- 
counts, and settled up as far as possible his worldly affairs, while 
his devoted wife was busily pljning the needle to prepare him for 
the field. 

At the supper-table Mrs. Jackson made some remark about the 
preparations for his expected departure, when he said, with a bright 
smile, " My dear, to-morrow is the blessed Sabbath day. It is also 
the regular communion season at our church. I hope I shall not be 
called to leave until Monday. Let us, then, dismiss from our con- 
versation and our thoughts every thing pertaining to the war, and 
have together one more quiet evening of preparation for our loved 
Sabbath duties." 

Accordingly, the dark cloud of war was pushed aside. He read 
aloud to her for a while from religious magazines and newspapers, 
and then they went to their accustomed study of tlie Bible-lesson 
which was to be taught on the morrow to the colored Sunday-school. 
It was such a bright, happy Saturday evening as is only known in 
the well-regulated Christian home. Alas I it proved the last which 
he ever spent under his own roof-tree. Early the next morning a 
telegram from the Governor of the Commonwealth ordered him to 
inarch the corps of cadets for Richmond at one o'clock that day, 
and the loving husband bade a last adieu to his home, the devoted 



HIS CHEISTIAiq- CHAEACTEE. 501 

church-member turned away from his communion service, the ear- 
nest teacher left his lesson for that day untaught, and at the exact 
minute appointed the peerless soldier marched forth from the parade- 
ground to win immortal honor, and wear a fadeless crown. 

Jackson gave a great deal of time to his colored Sunday-school. 
He was accustomed to carry around himself the most carefully- pre- 
pared reports of the conduct and progress of each j)upil, and to do 
every thing in his power to interest the whites of the community in 
the school. We have seen that his interest in it was unabated even 
during his most active campaigns, and he was accustomed to say 
that one of the very greatest privations to him which the war 
brought was that he was taken away from his loved work in the 
colored Sunday-school. 

Jackson thus acquired a wonderful influence over the colored 
people of that whole region, and to this day his memory is warmly 
cherished by them. When Hunter's army was marching into Lex- 
ington, the Confederate flag which floated over Jackson's grave was 
hauled down and concealed by some of the citizens. A lady who 
stole into the cemetery early one morning while the Federal army 
was occupying the town, bearing fresh flowers with which to deco- 
rate the hero's grave, was surprised to find a miniature Confederate 
flag planted on the grave with a verse of a familiar hymn pinned to 
it. Upon inquiry she found that a colored boy who had belonged 
to Jackson's Sunday-school had procured the flag, gotten some one 
to copy a stanza of a favorite hymn which Jackson had taught him, 
and had gone in the night to plant the flag on the grave of his loved 
teacher. 

•It will be gratifying to many of our readers to add that this 
school is still kept ujd, and is in a most flourishing condition under 
the management of Colonel J. L. T. Preston, of the Virginia Military 
Institute, Prof. J. J. White, of Washington and Lee University, and 
others of the best people in Lexington^ 

Jackson was equally scrupulous in attending to all of his reli- 
gious duties. " Lord, what wilt thou have me to do ? " seemed 
the motto of his life. Regular in meeting all of his religious obli- 
gations, he walked straight along the path of duty, doing with his 
might whatsoever his hands found to do. In the army his piety, 
despite all obstacles, seemed to brighten as the pure gold is refined 
by the furnace. He beautifully illustrated in his life the lesson of 



502 APPENDIX. 

the great apostle : " Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serv- 
ing the Lord." He was a man of prayer, accustomed in all he did 
to ask the divine blessing and guidance. His old body-servant said 
that he " could always tell when a battle was near at hand, by seeing 
the general get up a great many times in the night to pray." He 
was frequently observed in the beginning and in the midst of the 
battle to lift up his hands towards heaven, and those near could 
he*' his ejaculatory prayers. Just before the battle of Fredericks- 
burg he rode out in front of his line of battle and offered earnest 
prayer for the success of his arms that day. The morning of the 
movement on Chancellorsville he spent a long time in prayer before 
mounting to ride to the field. At a council of war held upon one 
occasion he listened quietly to the opinions of the other members of 
the council, and then asked until the next morning to mature his 
own plan. A general officer present remarked to another as they 
went from the council, " Jackson wants time to pray over it." 
About twelve o'clock that night this officer had occasion to go to 
the general's headquarters, and there he found him on his knees, and 
heard his earnest pleadings with the Lord for wisdom to direct him 
in the circumstances then surrounding him, and to enable him to 
devise such a plan as would give victory to his country's arms. The 
next day he came before the councU with a plan entirely different 
from any that had been proposed the evening before, and yet one 
that so commended itself to all that it was immediately adopted. 

The distinguished officer who relates this incident was so deeply 
aflfected by it as to be led thereby to make a profession of religion. 
Jackson was a diligent student of the Bible, frequently rising before 
day that he might find time to study a portion before going to his 
other duties. His pastor (Dr. White) has left a vivid description 
of a visit he paid Jackson while he was in camp near Centreville iu 
the autumn of 1861, and especially of his last night with him. The 
pastor had the previous evenings led the regular "famUy worship" 
which Jackson always held at his headquarters, but on this last 
evening he said : " General, you have often prayed with me, and for 
me at home ; be so kind as to do so to-night." He promptly com- 
plied with the request, reading an appropriate passage of Scripture, 
and then leading in prayer. "And never while life lasts," wrote 
Dr. White, " can I forget that prayer. He thanked God for send- 
ing me to visit the army, and prayed that he would own and bless 



HIS CHKISTIA]!T CHAKACTER. 503 

my ministrations, to both officers and privates, so tliat many souls 
might be saved. He gave thanks for what it had pleased God to do 
for the church in Lexington 'to vphich both of us belong,' especially 
for the revivals he had mercifully granted to that church, and for 
the many preachers of the Gospel sent forth from its membership. 
He then prayed for the pastor, and every member of his family, for 
the ruling elders, the deacons, and the private members of the church, 
such as were at home and especially such as then belonged to the 
army. He then pleaded with such tenderness and fervor, that God 
would baptize the whole army with his Holy Spirit, that my own 
hard heart was melted into penitence, gratitude, and praise. When 
we had risen from our knees, he stood before his camp-fire with that 
calm dignity of mien and tender expression of countenance for 
which he was so remarkable, and said, ' Doctor, I would be glad to 
learn, more fully than I have yet done, what are your views of the 
prayer of faith.' A conversation then commenced which was con- 
tinued long after the hour of midnight, in which, it is candidly con- 
fessed, the pastor received more instruction than he imparted." 

This venerable, devoted servant of God exerted a most impor- 
tant influence in moulding Jackson's Christian character ; the great 
chieftain always cherished for him the warmest affection, and those 
who knew and loved them both delight to think of them as now 
taking sweet counsel together in those bright realms where their 
blessed communion can never be interrupted by " war's rude alarms." 

Rev. Dr. William Brown, editor of the Central Presbyterian, re- 
lates a characteristic anecdote of this " man of prayer." During a 
visit to the army around Centreville in 1861, a friend remarked to 
Dr. Brown, in speaking of General Jackson, in the strain in which 
many of his old acquaintances were then accustomed to disparage 
him : " The truth is, sir, that ' Old Jack ' is crazy. I can account 
for his conduct in no other way. Why, I frequently meet him out in 
the woods, walking back and forth, muttering to himself incohe- 
rent sentences, and gesticulating wildly, and at such times he seems 
utterly oblivious of my presence, and of every thing else." 

Dr. Brown happened the next night to share Jackson's blanket, 
and in a long and tender conversation on his favorite theme — the 
means of promoting personal holiness in camp — the great soldier 
said to him : " I find that it greatly helps me in fixing my mind, and 
quickening my devotions, to give articulate utterances to my prayers, 



504: APPENDIX. 

and hence I ain in the habit of going off into the woods, where I 
can be alone, and speak audibly to myself the prayers I would pour 
out to my God. I was at first annoyed that I was compelled to 
keep my eyes open to avoid running against the trees and stumps ; 
but upon investigating the matter I do not find that the Scriptures 
require us to close our eyes in prayer, and the exercise has proved 
to me very delightful and profitable." 

And thus Dr. Brown got the explanation of conduct which his 
friend had cited to prove that " Old Jack is crazy." 

A friend was once conversing with him about the difficulty of 
obeying the Scripture injunction, "Pray without ceasing," and 
Jackson insisted that we could so accustom ourselves to it that it 
could be easily obeyed. " When we take our meals there is the 
grace. When I take a draught of water I always j^ause, as my pal- 
ate receives the refreshment, to lift up my heart to God in thanks 
and prayer for the water of life. Whenever I drop a letter into 
the box at the post-office, I send a petition along with it for God's 
blessing upon its mission, and upon the person to whom it is sent. 
When I break the seal of a letter just received, I stop to pray to 
God that he might prepare me for its contents, and make it a mes- 
senger of good. When I go to my class-room, and await the ar- 
rangement of the cadets in their places, that is my time to intercede 
with God for them. And so of every other familiar act of the day." 

" But," said his friend, " do you not often forget these seasons, 
coming so frequently ? " 

"No !" said he, "I have made the practice habitual to me; and 
I can no more forget it than to forget to drink when I am thirsty. 
The habit has become as delightful as regular." 

Jackson had a firm and unshaken trust in the promises of God 
and his superintending providence under all circumstances, and it 
was his habitual practice to pray for and trust in divine guidance 
under every circumstance of trial^ 

His friend Elder Lyle — one of the noblest specimens of a faithful 
Christian that ever lived — used to question him very closely on his 
Christian experience, and one day asked him if he really believed the 
promise, "All things work together for good to them that love 
God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." He 
said that he did, and the elder asked, " If you were to lose your 
health, would j'ou believe it then? " 



HIS CHRISTIAN CHAEACTEE. 505 

"Yes! I think I sliould." 

" How if you were to become entirely bliad ? " 

" I should still believe it." 

" But suppose, in addition to your loss of health and sight, you 
should become utterly dependent upon the cold charities of the 
world ? " 

He thought for a moment, and then replied, with emphasis : " If 
it were the will of God to place me there, he would enable me to lie 
there peacefully a hundred years," 

"We have seen how he stood this test when called on to cross the 
Jordan of death. 

Soon after he was wounded, he said to Rev. B. T. Lacy — who 
exclaimed on seeing him, " O general, what a calamity ! " — " You 
see me severely wounded, but not depressed, not unhappy. I be- 
lieve it has been done according to God's holy will, and I acquiesce 
entirely in it. You may think it strange, but you never saw me 
more perfectly contented than I am to-day ; for I am sure that my 
heavenly Father designs this affliction for my good. I am perfectly 
satisfied that either in this life, or in that which is to come, I shall 
discover that what is now regarded as a calamity is a blessing. And 
if it appears a great calamity (as it surely will be a great inconven- 
ience) to be deprived of my arm, it will result in a great blessing. I 
can wait until God in his own time shall make known to me the ob- 
ject he has in thus afflicting me. But why should I not rather re- 
joice in it as a blessing, and not look on it as a calamity at all ? If 
it were in my power to replace my arm, I would not dare to do it 
unless I could know that it was the will of my heavenly Father." 

His dispatches and official reports all breathed this spirit of trust 
in and dependence upon God. His simple " God blessed our arms 
with victory at McDowell yesterday," was but a type of the charac- 
ter and spii'it of his dispatches. 

He would, after each of his victories, have a " thanksgiving-day " 
appointed for his command. When the braggart Pope had been 
placed in command of the " Grand Army of the Union " that was to 
capture Richmond in "thii'ty days," and Jackson sent with his corps 
to watch his movements, a friend said to him jocularly, "There is a 
new candidate for your favor, general ! " 

" Yes, and by the help of God I will dispose of him," meekly re- 
plied the great warrior. 



506 APPENDIX. 

Jackson delighted in religious conversation, and frequently en- 
gaged in it with his whole soul at times least expected by those who 
did not know him. During one of his battles, while he was waiting 
in the rear of a part of his command, which he had put in position 
to engage the attention of the enemy while another division had been 
sent to flank them, a young officer on his staff gave him a copy of the 
sketch of " Captain Dabney Carr Harrison," a young Presbyterian 
minister, widely known and loved in Virginia, who had been killed 
at Fort Donelson. He expressed himself highly gratified at getting 
the sketch, and entered into a warm conversation on the power of 
Christian example. He was interrupted by an officer, who reported 
" the enemy advancing," but paused only long enough to give the 
laconic order, " Open on them," and then resumed the conversation, 
which he continued for some time, only pausing now and then to 
receive dispatches and give necessaiy orders. A chaplain relates 
that, on the eve of the battle of Fredericksburg, he saw an officer 
wrapped in his overcoat, so that his marks of rank could not be seen, 
lying just in the rear of a battery quietly reading his Bible. He ap- 
proached and entered into the prospects of the impending battle, 
but the officer soon changed the conversation to religious topics, and 
the chaplain was led to ask, "What regiment are you chaplain of?" 
Whsit w^as his astonishment to find that the quiet Bible-reader and 
fluent talker upon religious subjects was none other than the famous 
Stonewall Jackson ! 

It was the privilege of the writer, in company with a brother chap- 
lain, to spend a day at the general's headquarters a short time before 
the battle which deprived the country of his priceless services. Af- 
ter dinner he came into the tent where we had been doing some 
work as a chaplain's committee, and we had a long chat with him. 
Military matters were scarcely alluded to and then he would soon 
change the subject. The burden of the conversation was the reli- 
gious condition of the army and the best means of promoting the 
spiritual welfare of the soldiers. Then we got on the subject of per- 
sonal religion — the obstacles to the growth of grace in the army, and 
the best means of overcoming them — and I confess that, for one, I, 
had to lay aside my office of " teacher in Israel," and be content to 
" sit at the feet " of the great warrior and learn of him lessons in the 
way of life. Upon another occasion the writer found him just going 
to a prayer-meeting held for the benefit of his staff and couriers. It 



Jackson's brigade at the first manassas. 507 

was a delightful season of worship, and the general seemed to enjoy 
it very much. After the meeting we remained to chat very pleasant- 
ly for an hour or so on religious matters. He spoke of having some 
of the ablest men of the different denominations to preach in the 
army, and mentioned a number by name, whom he would like to 
see come. He also spoke of the military power of religion, and said : 
" If our officers and men were only earnest Christians, I would not 
be afraid to meet the world in arms." 

General Jackson did all in his power to promote the spiritual 
welfare of his men, and to his influence is to be attributed the fact 
that his corps was better supplied with preaching than any other in 
the army. During the winter before his death he had Eev. B. T. 
Lacy commissioned chaplain and assigned to duty with him, that 
he might have regular services at his headquarters. He manifested 
the liveliest interest in the formation and progress of the " Chaplains' 
Association Army Northern Virginia," and used frequently to say, 
when hearing accounts of the meetings which pleased him, " We ought 
to thank God for that." He was accustomed to gather his military 
family around him morning and night for " family worship," and 
frequently led the exercises himself. 

In fine, Jackson took Jesus as his Saviour, his guide, his great 
exemplar, " the Captain of his salvation," whom he followed with 
the unquestioning obedience of the true soldier. And having thus 
lived, it is not surprising that he died the glorious death which has 
been described. Nay, it was not death ; the weary, worn, battle- 
scarred veteran only " crossed over the river to rest under the shade 
of the trees." He had won the victory, he only went to wear the 
"crown of rejoicing" — 

" That crown with peerless glories bright 
Which shall new lustre boast 
When victors' wreaths and monarchs' gems 
Shall blend in common dust." 

GENERAL JACKSON TO COLONEL J. M. BENNETT, DESCRIBING THE 
PART TAKEN BY HIS BRIGADE IN THE FIRST BATTLE OF MA- 
NASSAS. 

Headqttaeteks Fiest Bbigade, Camp neae Manassas, ) 
July 28, 1861. J 

Mt dear Colonel : About four o'clock a. m., on the 21st, by request of 
General Longstreet, I sent him a reenforcement of two regiments. Subse- 



508 APPENDIX. 

quently I received an order from General Beauregard to reenforce General 
Bonham. Afterward I received an order from the same officer to reenforce 
General Cocke. Finally, I was instructed by him to take such a position as 
would enable me to reenforce either General Bonham or General Cocke. 
These instructions were executed in the order in which they were given. 
About an hour after I had taken such a position as would enable me to throw 
reiinforcements toward either of the two generals, so as to give timely assist- 
ance, I received a message from General Cocke, who requested me to guard 
the Stone Bridge. I promptly moved in that direction, and baited at a place 
indicated by the guide. While in that position, I had reason to believe that 
General Bee was hard pressed by the enemy, and I accordingly moved in the 
direction of the firing, and at the same time sent a message to the general 
that I was rcenforcing him ; hoping that such an announcement would so in- 
spirit his troops as to keep back the enemy till my arrival. But I had not 
advanced far before I met his command falling back. I passed on, with the 
understanding that he would try to rally his troops in my rear. So soon as I 
had nearly reached the summit of the next hill, I placed two pieces of Captain 
Stanard's battery in position, firing on the enemy. I also placed two regi- 
ments of infantry (Colonel Preston's and Colonel Echol's) in the rear of the 
battery, concealed from the enemy's view. One regiment (Colonel Harper's) 
was placed on the right of the battery, and principally in the woods. One 
regiment (Colonel Allen's) was placed on the left of the battery, and the re- 
maining one (Colonel Cummings's) on the left of this. All the regiments had 
instructions to charge the enemy with the bayonet so soon as he should ap- 
pear over the crest, and within about fifty yards. Apprehensive lest my flank 
should be turned, I sent orders to the colonels of cavalry to secure them. The 
enemy continued to advance, but, not being able to force our centre, its bat- 
teries inclined to the right, evidently for the purpose of securing an oblique 
fire upon my front ; but in so doing one of them approached so near my left 
regiment, that the colonel by charging with the bayonet captured the guns. 
But in consequence of the severe small-arm fire of the enemy he was forced 
to abandon them ; but the battery was of no further service during the ac- 
tion, in consequence of the cannoneers having been driven off and the horses 
killed. Finally, the onward movement of the enemy brought them so near 
my battery and central regiments as to call for the free use of the bayonet, 
and I accordingly ordered the charge to be made, which cut the enemy's cen- 
tre, and thus separated his wings. A few moments more, and the field was 
essentially in the possession of the brigade, and of other troops; though 
both my flanks were turned by Federal forces. But by reposting the artillery 
in rear, and giving a few shots, taken in connection with the small-arm fire 
of other troops on my left, the victory was made complete. In the enemy's 



EXTRACT FKOM A LETTER OF CAPTAIN W. B. LEIGH. 509 

first battery there were two rifled guns and one twelve-pounder howitzer. 
The credit of taking these, so far as to prevent their being used by the enemy, 
belongs exclusively to Colonel Cummings's regiment. There were six other 
rifled guns which fell into the hands of the brigade, and a few other troops, 
in the final charge. 

Thi'ough the blessing of Providence, my brigade passed our retreating 
forces, met the thus far victorious enemy, held him in check until reenforce- 
ments arrived, and finally pierced his centre, and thus gave a fatal blow. 

I am more than satisfied with the part performed by my brigade during 
the action. 

You must excuse my " not having written this letter in reply to yours " 
earlier, but a shght wound (a broken finger) requires me to keep watching 
the flies all the time. I received the wound during the last charge. . . , 

In reading about the recent battle, you must observe that the term " left 
of our line" is used in two senses — oue meaning the left of our fortified line, 
and the other the left of our line of battle. The battle was fought princi- 
pally to the left of the fortified line — that is, the armies in open battle met 
and fought there. ... 

You will find, when my report shall be published, that the First Brigade 
was to our army what the Imperial Guard was to the First Napoleon — that, 
through the blessing of God, it met the thus far victorious enemy and turned 
the fortunes of the day. 

Please let me hear from you soon. 

Your much attached friend, T. J. JACKSON. 

EXTRACT FBOM A LETTER WRITTEN' BY CAPTAIN" W. B. LEIGH, A 
FEW DAYS AFTER THE BATTLE OF CHANCELLORSYILLE. 

.... Jackson's corps had already commenced the flank movement of 
which you have read. D. H. Hill's division, under Brigadier-General Rodes, 
had got out of our way, and it had been followed by Trimble's division, un- 
der Brigadier-General Colston. 

We left the plank-road at a point so near the enemy that his balls whis- 
tled over our heads, and, marching from nine o'clock in the morning till five 
o'clock in the evening — a distance of ten or twelve miles through a dense 
wilderness — formed ourselves at the other end of our detour^ on the right 
flank of the enemy, and not more than three or four miles from the point at 
which we left the plank-road. A part of our march was along a road in 
plain view of the enemy, and under fire from one of his batteries, and why he 
did not attack us I can hardly conjecture. I have understood that he be- 
lieved we were in full retreat to the southward. It is certain they never 



510 APPENDIX. 

guessed our real design, for their right flank was assailed by us when they so 
little expected an attack that many of their troops were cooking their suppers. 
Our manoeuvre seems to mc to have been one of the boldest, and its results 
prove it to have been one of the most brilliant, recorded in the annals of war. 
Arrived at the point of our destination, and having driven in the enemy's 
pickets, General Jackson made his dispositions for the attack. My position 
on General A. P. Hill's staff gave me an opportunity to learn the plan. It 
consisted simply in deploying D. H. Hill's and Colston's divisions on each 
side of the old turnpike-road leading to Chancellorsville, with one brigade of 
(I believe) D. H. Hill's division deployed across the plank-road, and the re- 
maining brigades of A. P, Hill's division marching by flank down the old 
turnpike. 

Aides-de-camp and couriers were galloping up and down the road, and 
through the woods, and across the fields, for some time before all the arrange- 
ments for the attack were complete. At length the troops were ordered for- 
ward, and in a little time the dropping fire of skirmishers announced their 
approach to the enemy. In a few minutes volley after volley of musketry, 
intermingled occasionally with the deep boom of the cannon, told us that 
the battle had begun. The woods in front of us seemed filled with combat- 
ants, but the musketry did not equal in volume or extent that which I have 
heard elsewhere — Gaines's Mill, for instance. The sounds gradually receded 
before us ; our troops were evidently driving the enemy before them. This 
continued from about six o'clock in the evening, when the attack commenced, 
until about half-past nine o'clock. 

In the mean time our troops had driven the enemy about three or four 
miles toward Chancellorsville; they had run like sheep on our ajiproach, 
throwing away their arms, knapsacks, haversacks, and every thing of which 
they could divest themselves. They had been completely surprised, having 
thrown up intrenchments to meet an attack from the front ; but, as we 
assailed their right flank, their intrenchments were useless, and they aban- 
doned them. They had, it is true, barricaded the roads, and some of their 
intrenchments were in the right direction to meet our attack ; but neither 
barricades nor intrenchments enabled them to delay our progress. Our 
troops marched in line of battle through woods filled with thick undergrowth, 
and across several ravines, at a rapid pace for several hours. The thick 
woods, the combat, and the coming on of darkness, had deranged our lines, 
and brigades, and even divisions, had got mixed together. In this state of 
things we nevertheless pressed forward until we reached the brow of the 
declivity opposite to that on which the tavern, etc., known as Chancellors- 
ville, is situated. Here we were met by the fire of a battery posted so as to 
enfilade the road, and General Jackson and General Hill rode forward for the 



EXTEACT FROM A LETTER OF CAPTAIN W. B. LEIGH. 511 

purpose, as I suppose, of making arrangements for taking this battery. I 
accompanied General Hill as he rode down the road toward the enemy's bat- 
tery. At one point we were subjected to a severe fire from the battery ; but 
it slackened after a while, and we pursued our course. We soon passed our 
most advanced lijies, when suddenly a musketry-fire opened to our right in 
the woods. From whom this fire proceeded I have never learned ; but it 
seemed to serve as the signal for the enemy's battery to resume its fire. In 
an instant the road was swept by a storm of grape and canister ; the shells 
burst above, around, and among us. General Hill, and his svaflf following 
him, turned back toward our lines, and, as we approached them, we aban- 
doned the road — which was, as I have said, enfiladed by the enemy's battery 
— and turned off to our right into the woods. Whether it was that our 
troops mistook us for a body of Federal cavalry, or for some other reason, I 
do not know ; but, as we approached within fifteen or twenty paces of our 
lines, we were received with a blaze of fire. This alone — without the fire 
from the enemy's battery, which still continued — rendered our situation a 
perilous one ; and it seemed as if we were all doomed to destruction. I per- 
ceived that my only hope of escape was in getting to the ground, and lying 
so that I exposed as little of my person as possible to the fire of our men. 
I accordingly endeavored to dismount, but my horse was rearing and plung- 
ing so violently that I could not do so. Just as this time he was shot, as I 
judged from his frantic leaps, and whether he threw me off of him, or 
whether I managed to get off myself, I am unable to say ; but I found myself 
lying on the ground, and he rushed off. I received a smart blow on the side 
of my head, and put up my hand to feel if I was wounded, but I found I was 
unhurt. I lay on the ground for a short time, until our troops discovered 
their error and ceased their fire, and then rose. I saw a number of dead 
and dying men and horses around me,' and a horse standing near me ; I im- 
mediately mounted him, and rode about the woods to see if I could find 
General Hill. I soon found him. We came out into the road together at 
the point at which we had left it ; and he informed me — or I heard some one 
say — that he was going forward to see General Jackson, who had been 
wounded. I perceived that almost all of his staff had disappeared — Captain 
Forbes had been mortally wounded, Captain Howard had disappeared, and, 
as I have since learned, was taken prisoner by the enemy ; one of the cou- 
riers had been killed, another mortally wounded ; another had disappeared, 
and is still missing ; Captain Taylor had his horse shot under him ; Captains 
Adams and Hill alone had been neither wounded nor dismounted — the latter 
was absent on duty when we were fired upon. 

We soon came up to where General Jackson was, and found him lying by 
the side of the road under a little pine-tree. General Hill directed me to go 



512 APPENDIX. 

for a surgeon and an ambulance, and I hastened off for that puri)ose. I had 
not gone more than one hundred yards, or thereabouts, wlien I met General 
Pender marching up the road with his brigade. I told him tliat General Hill 
had sent me for a surgeon and an ambulance for General Jackson. lie said 
there was an assistant surgeon, Dr. Barr, with his command, who was called 
for and speedily appeared. Dr. Barr said that there was no ambulance within 
a mile of the place, but that he had a litter with him. I hastened with Dr. 
Barr and the litter-bearers back to where I had left General Jackson, and also 
carried with me Captain Smith, General Jackson's aide-de-camp, who had 
ridden up, inquiring for the general. We had been with the general but a 
short time when the enemy's battery again commenced to fire upon us. My 
horse — the second horse — was shot, and I had to let him go. General Jack- 
son rose and walked a few yards, leaning on my arm. His left arm had been 
broken above the elbow, and a ball had passed through his right hand. He 
was, nevertheless, calm, and did not utter a groan. We had not gone far, 
when, at my suggestion, he lay down on the litter, which we took up and 
were carrying him along, when the cannonade became so terrific that the 
litter-bearers abandoned the litter, leaving no one with General Jackson but 
Captain Smith and myself. We laid the general down in the middle of the 
road, and lay down ourselves beside him. The road was perfectly swept by 
grape and canister — a few minutes before it had been crowded with men and 
horses ; and now I could see no man or beast upon it but ourselves. After a 
little time General Jackson again rose and walked a short distance to the 
rear, turning aside off the road — partly because the enemy's fire was mainly 
aimed at the road, and partly because the road was again being incumbered 
with infantry and artillery, and it was easier to go through the woods. But 
he soon became faint, and we again put him in the litter. I could not induce 
any of the men whom I met to act as litter-bearers (and, by-the-way, I had 
myself carried the litter on after the general, when he undertook to walk a 
second time), until I told them it was General Jackson whom we wished them 
to carry. This I was reluctant to do, as we wished to conceal from the troops, 
as long as possible, the fact of his having been wounded. As soon, however, 
as I mentioned his name, I found every one willing to aid us. We proceeded 
in this way for about half a mile. As we were going through the woods, one 
of the litter-bearers got his foot tangled in a grapevine and fell, letting Gen- 
eral Jackson fall on his broken arm. For the first time he groaned, and most 
piteously — he must have suffered agonies ; but he soon recovered his compos- 
ure, and we again took the road to avoid a repetition of such an accident. 
It was a long time before we got out of the space on which the fire of the 
battery seemed to be concentrated ; as long as we were within it, the shells 
burst around us thick and fast ; they seemed to fall like showers of falling 
stars. 



EXTRACT FEOM A LETTER OF CAPTAIN W. B. LEIGH. 513 

At length I met Dr. Whitehead, who, as I have since learned, had been 
summoned when General Jackson was first found wounded. Dr. Whitehead 
had procured an ambulance, in which the general was placed. At this time 
he complained of great pain in the palm of his left hand. He had before re- 
peatedly asked for spirits, of which we could procure none for a long time ; 
but at length Dr. Whitehead got a bottle. At Mr. Melzi Chancellor's we 
stopped to get some water for the general, and here we were joined by Dr. 
McGuire, chief surgeon of our corps, who took charge of him. 
33 



UNVEILING OF THE BRONZE STATUE OF 
JACKSON— THE GIFT OF ENGLAND TO 
VIRGINIA— AT RICHMOND, OCTOBER 26, 

18V5. 

This grand event was thus announced in the Biclimond Dispatch 
of October 26, 1875, which on tliat and the succeeding day pub- 
lished a double sheet filled with Jackson : 

This historic city will to-day have added to her wealth of inter- 
est a spectacle as sublime as any that ever claimed a place in her 
annals. In the height of the Indian summer, when the air is soft- 
est and sweetest, when the fields and forests are clad in their russet 
hues, and all Nature is peace and quiet, loving multitudes will as- 
semble to do honor to the most conspicuous hero of the late war, 
and to celebrate an event of pleasing significance that will for the 
moment, at least, claim the attention of the civilized world. An 
English-speaking and an English-descended people, politically sep- 
arated from the mother-country for nearly a hundred years, yet 
bound to her by strong ties of kinship and afiection, are to receive 
into their dear care, and to inaugurate with imposing ceremonies, 
the statue of a Christian soldier sent by English admirers. 

In Virginia, where Jackson was born and lived, and for whom 
he left his study to resume his sword, long laid down — here, where 
his victories were achieved; beyond all, here in this city, that was 
more than once saved from capture and destruction by the swiftness 
of his movements, the fierceness of his attacks, the thunder of his 
blows — it is only natural that his life and character should be ap- 
preciated. 

But with our ports blockaded it was rare that Confederate ac- 
counts of battles fought and victories won could reach other lands ; 



HISTOET OF THE STATUE, 515 

and though the enemy's prints raised clouds of misrepresentations, 
and endeavored to obscure and belittle Jackson's triumphs, his fame 
burst through all and shed its lustre across the waters. When he 
died the Confederacy was almost palsied with horror ; the enemy 
hushed their triumphs in confessions of his genius, his goodness, 
and his greatness. In England they said that in his death the best 
general the war had produced was lost, and those who had watched 
his figure grandly riding into history took immediate steps to have 
placed in imperishable bronze his form and features, that posterity 
looking upon it might see their verdict and feel his presence. A 
statue erected by Virginia to Jackson would have been a proud 
mother's tribute to a fondly-loved son. But this tribute from 
strangers is the testimonial of those who viewed his career with 
kindly yet critical eyes ; who measured his genius with European 
generals', and his manhood with the most chivalric of their knightly 
race. 

When the Confederacy went down, when new light was thrown 
upon Jackson's generalship, the admiration of him was heightened, 
and fresh eiforts were made to secure the necessary money for the 
statue. No mean hands were allowed to perform the work. It was 
given to Foley, then England's greatest sculptor. Scarcely had it 
been cast when he went to join 

" The innumerable caravan that moves 
To that mysterious realm where each shall take 
His chamber in the silent halls of death." 

It was probably his last, and has been pronounced by many his best 
work. His statue was accepted by the State, and will be inaugu- 
rated under her auspices. Every thing possible has been done to 
make the occasion brilliant and imposing. 

HISTORY OF THE STATUE. 

Much has already been written concerning the history of the 
statue, and it is only necessary now to state briefly the main facts 
connected with it. It was the noble gift of an association of Eng- 
lish gentlemen formed in England directly after the death of Gen- 
eral Jackson, in the summer of 1863. They subscribed a sufficient 
amount of money — about four thousand guineas — to secure a work 



516 APPENDIX. 

of art by the first artist of Great Britain, and their intention was to 
present it to the Confederate States, to be placed at its cajiital iu 
Virginia. They secured the services of Foley, the greatest sculptor 
Great Britain has produced since the time of Chantrey, but the 
many great works he was then engaged on delayed the execution 
of the undertaking. 

He made a model, which was cast in plaster, when the downfall 
of the Confederacy shrouded the hearts of all its lovers in sorrow 
here and in Europe. Foley then directed his attention to the great 
equestrian statue of Sir James Outram, former Governor-General 
of India, for the Indian government, and subsequently to the colos- 
sal statue of the Prince Consort, after his death to be placed in the 
Albert Memorial, which the wives of Great Britain creeled to the 
memory of Prince Albert at Kensington. 

Matters remained in this way imtil the year 1872. About that 
time the Association of the Army of Northern Virginia, General 
Fitzhugh Lee being president, heard that some inquiries were being 
made about the statue to secure it for Lexington. It was contended 
that the spot where the hero of so many battles was buried was the 
proper place for the erection of the statue. Winchester was also 
suggested. They were informed that the English Association were 
refraining from moving in the matter because they feared it might 
be indelicate, in view of the recent relations of Great Britain to the 
United States, or might be doubtful whether it would be well re- 
ceived by the people who controlled the State government of Vir- 
ginia. They therefore jjassed resolutions, thanking the English 
gentlemen having the mattei' iu charge for their action in preparing 
the statue to be presented, assuring them that it would be received 
with gratitude by all the people of Virginia, and offered to be the 
medium of its presentation ; and, inasmuch as we were then about 
to enter into a State election which might possibly throw the State 
into the hands of the party not in sympathy with us, they proffered 
their services to receive and hold it upon the trust to be delivered 
to the State whenever our own government should be restored to 
our own control. 

They furthermore expressed in very positive terms their senti- 
ments that Virginia was the proper recipient of it, and that Rich- 
mond, her capital, was the proper spot for its location and erection. 
General Bradley T. Johnson, who was then about to visit Europe, 



HISTORY OF THE STATUE. 517 

was requested to convey these resolutions and these views to the 
proper parties. 

General Johnson did go to Europe, and immediately on his 
arrival in England waited upon Mr. Beresford-Hope, whom he 
found had control of the matter, and received from him the most 
gratifying attention. Mr. Beresford-Hope introduced hini to Mr. 
Foley, and they together inspected the plaster cast in Mr. Foley's 
studio, in Great Osnaburgh Street. The likeness had been made 
from a photograph of Jackson taken in 1849, and was no likeness 
at all, and all the historical details were incorrect. General John- 
son immediately wrote to George L. Christian, Esq., to have a pho- 
tograph taken of a portrait of Jackson in General Johnson's house, 
the best and only true one extant, and to send it, with copies of 
Virginia buttons and sword-buckles, to Mr. Foley, which Mr. Chris- 
tian did. General Johnson also tried to procure from the sculptor 
Volck a copy of a mask taken by him of Jackson after death, but 
was unable to go to Munich, where Volck then was, and so failed 
to furnish it. From descriptions given by him, and from the pho- 
tograph of the oil-portrait, and also a photograph taken by Minnis 
in April, 1863, just before Jackson's death, the present statue was 
remodeled. 

In May, 1863, directly after Jackson's death, a society was 
formed in Richmond, with Governor John Letcher at the head, for 
the purpose of erecting an equestrian statue in bronze of the dead 
hero. 

Volck, a German artist of merit, resident here for some years, 
was intrusted with the work. 

He took a mask of Jackson's face as his body lay in state in the 
Governor's house, and measurements and drawings of the whole 
figure. Mrs. Jackson, besides, furnished him with the old uniform, 
coat, boots, and other clothing, and from this material Volck pre- 
pared a model during the summer of 1863 and winter of 1863-64, 
which was seen by some of Jackson's friends. Being in clay, and 
they probably being inexperienced critics, some of them did not 
think it a good likeness, but the gentlemen responsible for the work 
were so well satisfied that they sent Volck, his model, and his ma- 
terial, to Europe, to have his idea put into bronze. He went to 
Munich and labored there assiduously, and had nearly completed 
his work when the Confederacy fell. 



51S APPENDIX. 

All the money wbicli had been collected and Tvas in the handa 
of the Jackson Monument Association was lost, and Voick was left 
to struggle on without means. 

He finished his model, which was cast in plaster at Nuremberg 
in 18CC, and an engraving of it printed in the Leipsic IllustraU'd 
iV<3W« of January, 1867. Since then he has made eflbrts, aided by 
his brother — Volck the artist, of Baltimore — to raise funds to com- 
plete his statue, but, as far as we are informed, as yet unsuccessfully. 

It is an equestrian statue of life-size, rejiresenting Jackson hold- 
ing his bridle-rein in his left hand, his short horseman's military 
cloak thrown back over his right shoulder, his right arm falling 
easily by his side, holding his slouch hat ; and the position is digni- 
fied and graceful. No work of art can be judged by a wood-en- 
graving in an illustrated newspaper. 

The interviews with Mr. Beresford-Hope terminated in the fol- 
lowing correspondence, so as to put on record the action of all par- 
ties then engaged in the transaction : 

THE VIRGINIA CORRESPONDENCE. 

"47 Queen's Gakden Gate, July IS, 1878. 
" .4. J. Beresford-IIopc, Eaq. 

" Dear Sir : I have the honor to inclose herewith the record of the pro- 
ceedings of a meeting of the Association of the Army of Northern Virginia in 
relation to the proposed action of yourself and other gentlemen in presenting 
a statue of Jackson to the people of Virginia. 

"I am directed by this Association to express to you and .the gentlemen 
with whom you are acting the sentiments of grateful respect wliich they feel 
to you for this marii of your estimation of our great comrade and the cause 
in which he died, and to declare to you our conviction that it will be received 
by the whole people of Virginia and her late associates with the deepest sen- 
sibility as ahke honorable to us who receive it, as testifying the respect of 
brave and honorable men, and to you who present it as showing your appre- 
ciation of truth and right, though obscured by defeat and temporary disaster. 

" I am furtlier directed to represent to you our behef that your wishes as 
to this memorial will be best accomplished by its being placed in charge of 
the CommonweaUh of Virginia, to be erected by her in some appropriate place 
along with the statues of other of her sons who have heretofore deserved well 
of mankind and their fellow-citizens; and I am instructed to tender to you 
and the gentlemen with you the services of the Association, composed of 
soldiers who bore arms under Lee and Jackson and their illustrious comrades 
in arms, in executing any wishes you may have in this matter, and particu- 



HISTOEY OF THE STATUE. 519 

larly in receiving this statue and delivering it to tlie authorities of Virgmia in 
such manner as you may direct. 

" I have the honor to remain your obedient servant, 

" Bkadlet T. Johnson." 

To this letter Mr. Hope replied : 

" Aeklo-w House, Connaitght Place, ) 
'London "West, August 2, 1873. ) 

" Mt dear Sir : Allow me, in my own name and on behalf of the com- 
mittee for carrying out the statue of General T. J. Jackson (whom we love to 
think of as Stonewall Jackson), by Mr. Foley, as a gift to the Commonwealth 
of Virginia, to say with what gratification I have received your letter and the 
resolutions of the Association of the Army of Northern Virginia inclosed 
in it. 

"As you observed on your visit to Mr. Foley's studio, the statue is not 
in so forward a state as the Association seem to have supposed it to be. The 
delay has proved fortunate, as owing to it Mr. Foley will have the advantage 
of the very valuable assistance which you will be able to render him toward 
perfecting the likeness. As soon as the statue is ready for presentation those 
who are interested in the work will not fail to give most respectful and care- 
ful attention to the representations contained in the resolution. We ear- 
nestly hope that the State of Virginia will be willing to accept the eflBgy of 
one of her greatest sons, but if any incidental difficulty should occur we 
thoroughly appreciate the appropriateness of intrusting the statue to an Asso- 
ciation which has by its own gallant deeds proved itself worthy to become 
the present custodian of the memorial of Stonewall Jackson until the day 
when the Commonwealth itself will accept it. We are sure the Association 
will value it alike as the memorial of the hero whom it represents and as a 
proof of the feelings of the Englishmen who have joined to offer it to their 
kinsmen of the Old Dominion fpr their own sake and for that of the whole 
Southern people. Believe me, my dear sir, yours truly, 

" A. J. B. Beresford-Hope. 
" General Bradley T. Johnson.''^ 

The statue was finished last fall. Just before Foley's death, the 
Association of the Army had iuformed Mr. Beresford-Hope, directly 
after General Kemper's election, that all doubt as to presenting it to 
Virginia had passed away when she elected a Confederate soldier 
her Governor, and that the presentation had better be made direct 
to the State. 

In March last Governor Kemper received the following letter, 
containing the proffer of the statue to the State of Virginia : 



520 APPENDIX. 

letter from hon. a. j. b. beresford-hope. 

" Abklow House, Connaught Place, 1 
London, March 2, 18T5. ) 

"Sir: When the news reached England of the death of General T. J. 
Jackson (so well known as " Stonewall Jackson "), a subscription was spon- 
taneously organized in this country, among persons who admired the charac- 
ter of that truly great man, to procure a statue of him which they might pre- 
sent to his native country as a tribute of English sympathy and admiration. 

" The work was intrusted to a most distinguished artist (the late Mr. T. H. 
Foley, R. A.), and although its progress was delayed by the ill-health of the 
sculptor, by his conscientious desire for the accuracy of the portrait, and 
latterly by his death, it has been brought to a successful conclusion in the 
form of a standing statue, of heroic size, cast in bronze. It is a very noble 
work of art, and, it is hoped and believed, a faithful likeness. 

"As representing the subscribers, it is now my pleasurable duty to ask 
you whether the State of Virginia would accept this memorial of its distin- 
guished son and tribute of English sympathy, and would guarantee its erec- 
tion in some conspicuous spot in the city of Kichmond. 

" If the answer is favorable, I would take the necessary steps to forward 
the statue to its destination. It is the privilege of members of our Royal 
Academy of Arts that the works of a deceased Academician may be con- 
tributed to the exhibition immediately succeeding his death. It is consid- 
ered due alike to the artist and the subject that the English people should 
have the opportunity of seeing the statue before it leaves this country for- 
ever. 

" The annual exhibition of the Academy closes about the beginning of Au- 
gust ; after which date no delay need take place in forwarding the statue to 
Virginia. 

" I have the honor to remain, sir, your faithful and obedient servant, 

" A. J. B, Beresford-Hope, 
" M. P. for the University of Cambridge. 
" His Excellency the Governor of Virffinia." 

Governor Kemper, in transmitting Mr. Hope's letter to the Legis- 
lature, took occasion to say : 

the governor's message to the legislature. 

" It is not doubted that the General Assembly will promptly and appro- 
priately recognize the munificence which offers such honor to Virginia, and 
will make whatever appropriation may be suDScient to receive the statue and 
erect it on a suitable pedestal. 



HISTORY OF THE STATUE. 521 

" It revives no animosities of the past, it wounds the sensibilities of no 
good man, of whatever party or section, to honor and revere the memory 
of Jackson. All the world knows that the earth beneath which his body 
lies covers the ashes of a patriot and hero whose greatness^hed lustre on 
the age in ■which he lived. His example belongs to mankind ; and his deeds 
and virtues will be cherished by all the coming generations of the great 
American republic as among the proudest memories of a common glory. 
Many others are now the objects of higher honors and louder praises. But 
when the accidents of fortune and success shall no longer determine the 
value of principles and achievements, when the names of others now more 
applauded shall have been swept into oblivion by the hand of Time, the 
memory of Stonewall Jackson, like that of his great commander, will con- 
tinue to grow brighter as the centuries pass into history." 

THK state's acceptance OF THE STATUE. 

The General Assembly, haying considered the letter of Mr. Hope 
and the message of the Governor, adopted the following preamble 
and resolutions : 

" The Governor having transmitted to the General Assembly a communi- 
cation from A. J. B. Beresford-Hope, Esq., member of Parliament for the 
University of Cambridge, tendering to this Commonwealth, on behalf of him- 
self and other English subjects, a bronze statue, of heroic size, by Foley, of 
the late General Thomas J. Jackson — 

" 1. Resolved by the Senate and House of Delegates, That Virginia, acknowl- 
edging with profound sensibility this generous manifestation of English sym- 
pathy by her people and admiration for her heroic son, very gratefully accepts 
the offering. 

" 2. That the statue be erected on a pedestal worthy of the work, on some 
conspicuous spot within the grounds of the Capitol, to be preserved and 
cherished by the people of Virginia as a memorial of its distinguished subject 
and of the noble sympathies of its honored donors. 

" 3. That the Governor be requested to give public notice, by proclama- 
tion, of the day on which the statue will be uncovered, so that the people may 
assemble to do honor to the event. 

" 4. That A. J. B. Beresford-Hope be invited to attend on the occasion as 
the guest of the State, and that he be tendered by the Governor the hospitali- 
ties of Virginia. 

" 5. That the Governor be requested to communicate the above resolu- 
tions to Mr. Beresford-Hope, and express to him and his associates the 
grateful acknowledgments of the people of Virginia. 



/^' 



522 APPENDIX. 

" 6. That his Excellency the Governor ; Captain J. L. Eubank, chairman 
of the Senate Committee ; General W. B. Taliaferro, chairman of the House 
Committee ; and General Jubal A. Early, be, and are hereby, appointed a 
board of commissioners, who shall be charged with the duty of receiving the 
statue, disbursing such appropriation as may be made therefor, and making 
all arrangements and contracts necessary to carry into effect the foregoing 
resolutions." 

On the same day tlie General Assembly ai^propriated ten thou- 
sand dollars " to defray the expenses of receiving and placing in 
position " the statue. 

ARRIVAL OF THE STATUE IN RICHMOND. 

The famous statue arrived in Baltimore by the steamship Nova 
Scotia on Thursday, September 9th. After considerable delay and 
correspondence on the subject it M-as put on the steamer TTestover, 
Captain Skinner, and conveyed to Richmond by the Powhatan 
Steamboat Company free of charge. It reached this city on Wednes- 
day, September 22d. And as soon as the statue arrived in Rich- 
mond it was taken in charge by a detail of the First Regiment 
Virginia Volunteers, and by them carefully guarded until Thursday 
evening, September 23d. Upon that memorable evening it was 
placed upon an open wagon specially i)repared for its removal to 
the Capitol-grounds under militai7 escort. 

The First Regiment and band, the Howitzer Company, the 
Old First Regiment Association, the Howitzer Association, and 
members of the Virginia Division of the Association of the Army of 
Northern Virginia formed in line in front of the old City Hall lot at 
2.45 p. M. Colonel Bradley T. Johnson, of the First Regiment, was 
in command of the active military, and General P. T. Moore in com- 
mand of the veterans aud other citizens. The procession was of 
imposing length, and was enlarged as it moved down-town by a 
number of carriages, containing ladies and gentlemen, taking posi- 
tion in the rear. The route to the wharf was down Governor to 
Main Street, down Main to Twenty-first, down Twenty-first to Dock, 
down Dock to Twenty-second. The wagon containing the statue 
was standing ready at the intcrsecticm of Twenty-first and Dock 
Streets, and as the procession approached Lieutenant "W. C. Taylor, 
in command of the guard of honor, drew the guard up in line, 



AKEIVAL OF THE STATUE IN EICHMOND. 523 

brouglit tlie men to present arms, and the procession passed up 
Twenty-first Street between the guard and the wagon. When the 
right was near the county court-house the command to halt was 
given. 

The crowd at this point was very large. It comprised represent- 
atives of both sexes and all colors, and of most of the nations of the 
earth, and of all conditions of life. Wherever a good view was ob- 
tainable there a group was congregated. The rigging of a bark 
lying in the dock near Twenty-first Street was well filled with jolly 
jack-tars, who were interested witnesses of all that transpired. 
There was some delay in rearranging the procession, and in this in- 
terval the enterprising venders of apples and peaches drove some 
fine bargains, and the box containing the statue was sharply scruti- 
nized. 

The box was of Norway pine, strongly put together, and meas- 
ured about eight feet in length by about four feet in width, and the 
same in dejjth. It was covered, after the arrival of the military, by 
a flag of Great Britain and the State flag of Virginia. The wagon 
upon which it was placed was one of the new kind now much used in 
hauling flour from the mills, and is usually drawn by four mules. 
On this occasion, a heavy rope, about one hundred yards long, was 
doubled and attached to the tongue, so that about three himdred 
men could find room along its length. 

Major Poe, in charge of a detachment of the police, joined the 
military at the wharf, and the procession was reformed in the fol- 
lowing order : 

Detachment of Police. 

The Band of the First Regiment. 

Seven companies of the First Regiment. 

Wagon containing statue, drawn by veterans of the Confederate 

army and other citizens. 

Grays. 

Howitzers on foot. 

Carriages. 

The procession moved up Twenty-second to Main Street, up 
Main to Ninth, up Ninth to Grace. The streets were thronged with 
people. There lias been no such general outpouring here in recent 
years. The procession moved between masses of men that blocked 



521: APPENDIX. 

the pavements and gutters. Every window along the route was oc- 
cupied, and hundreds were perched on house-tops and otlier emi- 
nences from which good views could be had. 

Tlie men drew the wagon with the greatest ease. Indeed, had 
its burden been ten times as great, they would have experienced no 
difficulty. It was gratifying to observe, mingled with the Confeder- 
ate veterans at the rope, not a few ex-Union officers and soldiers, 
who took the opportunity to testify their respect for the great sol- 
dier, whole glory and fame belong not only to Virginia, but to the 
whole uation. Miss May Ellyson (a little lady of five years), with 
her father, marched along with the men who were at the rope. 

Before the statue and its escort reached the Capitol Square, sev- 
eral thousand people had already congregated there, and, when it 
was found that the Governor was to spqak from the western steps 
of the Capitol, there was a general pushing for places. The proces- 
sion entered the grounds from the gate fronting Grace Street, and 
was drawn up in line, extending from near the western steps of the 
Capitol to the Washington Monument, facing to the east. The 
statue was brought up right opposite the Capitol steps. 

The procession proceeded from the gate to the Capitol building 
obliquely, and, when the military came to a halt, the right rested 
within a short distance of the western steps to the Capitol. A com- 
mand from General Johnson : "Halt! Front face! Present arms ! " 
and then there was a dead silence. 

Without dismounting. General Johnson addressed the Governor 
as follows: 

GENERAL JOHNSON's REMARKS. 

Governor : Twelve years ago last May I was ordered to command a part 
of the escort of the remains of Stonewall Jackson to this place. In all the 
years that have passed since then, his memory and fame have grown among 
all men all over the world who honor virtue and love patriotism. I here now 
am in charge of the escort of this statue, presented bj' friends and sympa- 
thizers with the Southern cause in Great Britain to the Commonwealth of Vir- 
ginia. 

I deliver it to you, her chosen representative and chief, to be by you for 
her erected on this historic ground ; to bear testimony to future ages in im- 
perishable bronze ; to bear testimony to future ages of the genius, the valor, 
and the love of country of one of Virginia's greatest sons, and of the love and 
veneration with which his memory is cherished ; and those virtues, of which 



AEEIVAL OF THE STATUE IN RICHMOND. 525 

Le was the great exemplar, are loved and admired by Virginia and all true 
men in all the world. 

Governor, I now deliver to your care the statue of Stonewall Jackson. 

Governor Kemper, responding to General Johnson, said : 

GOYERXOR Kemper's reply. 

Colonel Johnson, Soldiers, and Fellow-Citizens : For the manner in 
which you have escorted this statue and drawn it with your own hands to the 
steps of the Capitol, I would wish, in the name of the Commonwealth, to thank 
you. But already you have been far better compensated and rewarded in the 
pride and joy you have felt to-day in spontaneously honoring the memory of 
as true a hero as ever trod the earth. I more than thank you for the unbidden 
honors you have paid to courage, to virtue, and to patriotism in this act of 
honoring the image and name of the great Confederate captain Stonewall 
Jackson. You have done much also to testify our gratitude — our hving, 
deep, and imperishable gratitude — to those noble friends of ours on the other 
side of the world who have sent us this priceless treasure — this great tribute 
of admiration and sympathy — from the Old World to the New, from Great 
Britain to Virginia. 

It only remains for me to inform you that a few weeks hence this statue 
will be unveiled and inaugurated, and that by published proclamation I shall 
invite the people to assemble and do honor to the event. Be assured, fellow- 
citizens of Kichmond, all of you will be cordially welcomed to appropriate 
places in that interesting ceremonial. 

In the name of Virginia I now take possession of this gift, and I receive 
it not more as a great sculptor's work of art than a work of English afifection 
for Virginia and her immortal son. 

The crowd observing Mayor Keiley on the steps not far from 
where Governor Kemper was standing, called upon him for a speech, 
and he responded in these words : 

SPEECH FROM MAYOR KEILEY. 

It would be improper to protract this informal ceremony by one added 
word, and you wiU excuse me if I merely add in your behalf, my fellow- 
citizens of Richmond, one word of pride and gratitude for this splendid gift 
of citizens of Great Britain and Ireland, which, while a present to the whole 
Commonwealth, is in an especial manner a present to us. 

I last saw its illustrious subject in death within the walls of this very 
Capitol. I last saw him in life on the morning of that memorable 2d day of 



526 APPENDIX. 

May, when, stern and silent as the bronze in which his form is here repro- 
duced, with none of the joy of contest in his quiet face, because there was no 
room for sentiment, so suffused was it with duty, he swept hke an eagle on 
the startled enemy at Chancellorsville, and cleft him like a consuming thun- 
der-bolt. 

And now in this statue he is to come again among us, to speak to unborn 
generations the lessons of that model life which showed how the modest vir- 
tues of humble faith may flourish by the side of courage, genius, and consum- 
mate skill, which placed among the foremost captains of history the name of 
Stonewall Jackson. 

The wagon was then drawn to the southern end of the Capitol, 
the statue was removed to the basement of the Capitol, the military 
marched off, and the great crowd slowlj' dispersed. 

The regiment proceeded to Broad Street, between Tenth and 
Eleventh, where dress-parade was had. ; after which the companies 
were dismissed. 

DESCRIPTIOi^ OF THE STA THE A^D PEDESTAL. 

By the happiest of choices this noble work of art, the crowning 
achievement of the great sculptor's life, is to be fitly placed in the 
very heart at once of our city and. of our Commonwealth. The 
ground chosen is one right lovely in itself, just where, the line of 
lindens being broken, the sunshine falls on a plot of rich turf all 
aglow with flowers. It is easily apj)roached, and under view from 
many jioints. It lies, moreover, in neighborly nearness to the chief 
centre of our State and city life. To the south, so close as almost 
to embrace the statue with its shadow, stands the Capitol, planned, 
by Jefferson ; within this building met not only the Legislature of the 
State that Jackson loved so well, but the great convention that by 
its ordinance of secession called, him to the field, and the Confed- 
erate Congress, under whom he conquered and died. To the north, 
across the street, lies the now open and unbuilt square upon which 
our city is to build anew its courts of justice and its council-chamber. 
From the east, through long lines of arching lindens, the statue will 
stand in full view of our Governors in their oflicial homes. West- 
ward from Jackson, sharp and clear against the sky, there stands, as 
if suggesting comparison and inviting companionship in glory, 
Washington amid the other heroes of that earlier rebellion which 




FOLEY'S STATUE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 



DESCEIPTION OF THE STATUE AND PEDESTAL. 527 

even fools have ceased to denounce as a crime. Surrounded thus 
by imposing presences, well attuned to the silent voices that speak 
around him of a glory older than himself, stands the figure of our 
Jackson, the inmost treasure of all our treasures. 

And the statue itself, as a work of deep and significant art, will 
be found right worthy of the place it holds in our capital and in 
our aflections. Yet, to enjoy or to understand it, we must free our 
minds from the contamination that false and meretricious works of 
sculpture have spread widely in America. For among us, a people 
not prone to high artistic enjoyment, the art of sculpture has been 
subjected to the cruelest treatment and to the deepest degradation. 
Washington is not the only one of our great cities that has, to the 
laughter of mankind, been dishonored, at huge expense, by bronze 
or marble monstrosities. There is no lack of prancing horses poised 
on their hind-legs or held in stable equilibrium by the balance- weight 
of head and tail. There are Americas, and Columbuses, and Wash- 
ingtons, toga-clad or naked, in infinite variety of silliness. Of more 
recent construction, worse, if possible, than any thing older, the 
awkward figure of President Lincoln, made uglier still by a realistic 
striving after the bagginess of his ti'ousers and the vulgarity of his 
facial lines, disfigures the public squares of many American cities. 
Everywhere there is a tendency, in aiming at exaggerated force of 
action or at exaggerated fidelity of portraiture, to sink the nobler 
conception of sculpture as a fine art into the mere vulgarity of heavy 
and colossal caricature. Between flashiness and feebleness our 
American sculptors have left us generally a sorry alternative. But 
Foley's work takes us, all at once, into a purer and higher atmos- 
phere of art. His Jackson, overleaping contemporary art, takes its 
place worthily beside the noble Washington of Houdon. There are 
in both the same simple dignity, the same grand severity of treat- 
ment. There is the same self-control in subordinating all details, 
in holding fast, not to the unwavering lines of photographic por- 
traiture, but to the higher expression of character and individuality 
as idealized in form. When these great statues diflTer, it is a diflfer- 
ence of century, a difference in mankind itself as modified by the 
circumstances of the time. In Houdon's work there is a quaint 
touch of the grave, old-fashioned manners, of the stately dignity and 
somewhat artificial precision of the eighteenth-century grandee. In 
Foley's there is a freer, a more robust and outspoken personality ; 



52S APPENDIX. 

there is, indeed, an equal dignity, but it is a dignity derived rather 
from inward nobility of character than from an artificial training in 
manners. 

Even at first sight the statue shows us that the sculptor has 
scorned all trick and mannerism. His work is simple and true. 
Like all the greatest sculptors, Foley has wisely abstained from rep- 
resenting violent action or bodily excitement. There are poise, and 
strength, and self-control, most heroic of all virtues, in every line of 
the calm, easy figure. The soldier is standing with his right arm 
a-kimbo. The body is not stiiT and upright, as in self-conscious atti- 
tudinizing, but it sways easily upon the hips. The bared head, nei- 
ther drooping nor thrown back, but turned a little to the right, is 
looking keenly, but without excitement, into the distance ; it is as 
if he were watching, with confidence in his subordinates, for the 
fulfillment of an order already given. The left hand, raised to the 
level of his left shoulder, is holding the hilt of a sword, whose point, 
without bearing any weight, is resting lightly upon the top of the 
low stone-wall that symbolizes the heroic name. The legs, incased 
in military boots, are wonderful iu the perfect naturalness of their 
attitude and movement. The left leg is thrown slightly forward, is 
bent at the knee, and relaxed by the absence of weight upon it. The 
right leg comes down straight, and strong, bearing the burden of 
the body, but free from every sign of muscular strain or fatigue. 
The attitude combines ease and dignity ; it has, moreover, the high 
merit of endurance. It is an attitude — not, indeed, for a second or 
a minute — but one that a healthy man might maintain for hours 
without weariness and without essential change. 

In the treatment of the costume there is the same freedom from 
conventionality on the one hand and from vulgarity on the other. 
The uniform of a Confederate general is unmistakably expressed, but 
there is no milliner exaggeration of the details. The coat is but- 
toned, but it is not stifi" with padding nor puffed. It bulges and 
wrinkles, so as to reveal the figure of a man healthy indeed, but far 
from athletic. The belt, too, is buckled so loosely as not to dent 
the waist ; it droops comfortably on the left, to show the weight of 
the scabbard. The boots, the gloves, the chevrons, the army cap 
that hangs in the crook of the left elbow, all speak of real work and 
hard service. Every detail is homely, yet the general eflfcct is grace- 
ful and dij'nificd. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE STATUE AND PEDESTAL. 529 

It is the face, however, that is worthiest of study ; worthiest, too, 
of admiration. The lines of that countenance are so dear and so 
familiar to our remembrance that it would be unfair to demand of 
a foreign artist, working solely from bad photographs, so perfect a 
piece of realistic portraiture as many a caricaturist could furnish. 
But the bearing and expression are perfect ; the face rises above 
mere portraiture into the physical type of those peculiarities, both 
moral and intellectual, that made up the great soul of Jaclsson. It 
is not beautiful ; no bastard notion of Greek lines has been allowed 
to change the jjroportions, to straighten up the nose, to depress the 
cheek bones of the hard-featured English face. Yet, without such 
superficial beauty of feature, the higher beauty of moral force and 
of intellectual vigor has been seized with transcendent skill. There 
are earnestness in the face, a deep calm of soul, a steadiness of reso- 
lution that rises high above excitement. There are tenderness and 
goodness, too. It is the face of a man wise and dutiful, sublimely 
unconscious, and heroically modest. There is enormous power of 
will, and of that self-control which passes so easily into the power 
of controlling others. Such a face will harmonize well with all the 
traditions of the war and with all his achievements. It will speak 
to coming ages of the high motives under which he took up arms 
for the South, of the Christian spirit in which he led our armies, of 
the daring sagacity with which he planned and executed our victo- 
ries. This bronze will thus be a part of our history. It becomes a 
priceless treasure of our people, at once a model of art and a monu- 
ment of our glory. As we look at it we cannot but feel deep sorrow 
that the gr^at sculptor died before he saw his work completed. Yet, 
vnth Foley as with Jackson, the last achievement was the greatest. 
For as Chancellorsville was to the soldier so is this Jackson to the 
sculptor — his life's masterpiece, sealed and glorified by death. The 
statue will stand among statues as Jackson stood among men, sim- 
ple, heroic, and sublime. 

The following is the inscription adopted by the commissioners, 
who have used due diligence to keep it secret until the moment the 
statue is unveiled : 

34 



530 



APPENDIX. 



PRESENTED BY ENOLISn GENTLEMEN, 

AS A TRIBUTE OF ADMIRATION FOR THE SOLDIER AND PATRIOT, 

THOMAS J. JACKSON, 

AND GKATEFULLY ACCEPTED BY VIRGINIA IN THE NAME OF THE 
SOUTHERN PEOPLE. 

DONE A. D. 18T6, 
IN THE HUNDREDTH TEAR OF THE COMMONWEALTH. 

"Look I There is Jackson, standing like a stonb-wall." 

The pedestal is located on a smooth piece of ground about one 
hundred yards from and directly northward of the Capitol building, 
and about half-way between the Washington monumental pile and 
the gubernatorial mansion, and not more than thirty or forty feet 
from Capitol Street. The foundation is composed of heavy blocks 
of granite in well-set masonry, extending five feet below the surface 
of the ground. 

The pedestal on which the statue is placed is in the centre of a 
circular platform, twenty-four and a half feet in diameter, of sixteen 
fine-cut granite slabs rising about eight inches above the surface of 
the groimd. On the edges of this circle are placed thirty-two small 
iron posts with a small chain pendent between them. 

The pedestal is modeled from the designs of the sculptor Foley, 
and ia so perfectly proportioned that, in the beautiful white granite 
for which our James River quarries are celebrated, it makes a fitting 
resting-place for the statue for which it was designed. The pedes- 
tal is composed of four blocks of granite, the first base being a solid 
block eight and a half feet square and one and a half foot high, cut 
in two members. On this rests the second base, which is four feet 
three inches square and two and a luilf feet high, on which is cut a 
heavy ogee moulding. The die-block, which is placed on this dou- 
ble base, is a block of granite three feet three inches square and 
four feet high. The face of the block on which the inscription is 
cut is highly polished, and the inscription is made in deeply-cut 
block-letters, which are gilded so as to make the inscription legible 
in contrast with the polished, raised surface on which they are cut. 
The whole is surmounted by the cap-stone, which is four and a half 
feet square and one foot three inches high, which is cut with a 
heavy swtia moulding and an ogee wash. The statue is seven feet 



STONEWALL JACKSOn's MEN. 531 

three inches in height, and with the pedestal, as described, makes a 
very perfectly-proijortioned monument. 



STONEWALL JACXSOIPS MEN. 

As there will be to-day a natural desire to know who were the 
men who followed the immortal leader and helped to make his fame, 
the following roster of his commands is given : 

" Stonewall Brigaded — This brigade was organized at Harper's 
Ferry the last of May or 1st of June, 1861, and was composed as fol- 
lows: The Second Virginia Regiment, commanded by Colonel 
Allen ; the Fourth, commanded by Colonel Preston ; the Fifth, com- 
manded by Colonel Harper; the Twenty-seventh, commanded by 
Colonel Gordon ; and a little after the Thirty-third, commanded by 
Colonel Cummings ; and the Rockbridge Artillery, commanded by 
Captain (Rev. Dr., afterward General) Pendleton. 

His brigade-staff was composed of Major Frank Jones, adjutant ; 
Lieutenant-Colonel James W. Massey, aide-de-camp ; Dr. Hunter 
McGuire, medical director ; Major William Hawkes, chief commis- 
sary; Major John Harman, chief quartermaster; and Lieutenant 
Alexander S. Pendleton, ordnance-officer. All of these gentlemen 
who survived rose with each promotion which Jackson received. 

The next commander of the brigade was General Richard Gar- 
nett, who was afterward transferred to Pickett's division, and killed 
at Gettysburg. The next, General Charles S. Winder, who fell at 
Cedar Run ; the next. General W. S. H. Baylor, who fell at Second 
Manassas a few days after his promotion ; the next, General E. F. 
Paxton, who fell at Chancellorsville ; and the next. General James A. 
Walker, who was terribly wounded on the 12th of May at Spottsyl- 
vania Court-House, but is fortunately still spared to lead the old 
brigade to-day. 

The brigade really ceased to have a separate 'existence after that 
bloody day at Spottsylvania when nearly all of General Edward 
Johnson's division was captured, and its remnant was consolidated 
into a brigade composed of what remained of the whole division, 
and commanded by General William Terry, who also survives to 
serve the State. 

The name " Stonewall," which ever afterward clung to this bri- 
gade, was won at First Manassas. The gallant Bee, seeing his little 



532 APPENDIX. 

band thrown into confusion by the attack of overwhelming forces 
of the enemy, rode up to Jackson, and exclaimed, in agony of spirit, 
" General, they are beating us back." " No, sir," was the heroic 
reply, as Jackson's eyes glittered beneath his old gray cap; "we 
we will give them the bayonet." 

It was then that Bee, about to yield up his noble life, galloped 
back to his broken line, and roused them by exclaiming : " Rally 
behind the Virginians. There stands Jackson like a stone-wall. 
Let us determine to die here, and we shall conquer." The brigade 
was called " Stonewall " after this, but received the name officially 
on the 30th of May, 1863, as the following order will show: 

Adjutakt and lN8PECT0E-GEiJ]tEAL''s Offioe, iluy 80, 1863. 
Special Orders No. 129. 

18. The following resolution has been submitted to the Secretary of 
War from the officers and soldiers of the brigade formerly commanded by 
Lieutenant-General Thomas J. Jackson : 

" Resolved, That in accordance with General Jackson's wish, and the de- 
sire of this brigade to honor its first great commander, the Secretary of War 
be requested to order that it be known and designated as the ' Stonewall Bri- 
gade,' and that, in thus formally adopting a title which is inseparably con- 
nected with his name and fame, we will strive to render ourselves more 
worthy of it by emulating his virtues, and, like him, devote all our energies 
to the great work before us of securing to our beloved ceuntry the blessings 
of peace and independence." 

19. The department cheerfully acquiesces in the wish thus expressed, 
and directs that the brigade referred to be hereafter designated as the 
" Stonewall Brigade." It commends the spirit which prompts the request, 
and trusts that the zeal and devotion, the patience and courage of the fallen 
hero, whose name and title his earlier companions-in-arms desire so appro- 
priately to honor and preserve, may attend and animate not only the " Stone- 
wall," but each brigade and every soldier in the armies of the South now 
struggling to drive back from their borders an implacable and barbarous 
invader. 

By command of the Secretary of War : 

John Withers, Assistant Adjutant-General. 

Jackson's division was organized in the Valley in the spring of 
18G2, and was composed of the Stonewall Brigade, the Second Vir- 
ginia Brigade (Jones's), and the Third Virginia Brigade (Taliaferro's), 
with the Louisiana Brigade of General Starke afterward added. 



FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN LEE AND JACKSON. 533 

Ewell's division joined Jackson at tlie opening of liis famous 
Valley campaign, and was composed of Elzey's (afterward Early's) 
brigade, and Trimble's brigade, and Hays's brigade. Lawton's 
Georgia Brigade was added after the seven days' battle, and other 
changes made. 

Jackson's corps was organized after the battles around Rich- 
mond, and consisted of Jackson's old division, Ewell's division, A. 
P. Hill's division, and D. H. Hill's division. 

Colonel Crutchfield, and afterward General A. L. Long, com- 
manded the artillery of the corps. 

FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN LEE AND JACKSON. 

As appropriate to the unveiling of the Jackson statue we quote 
the following from Dr. Jones's "Reminiscences of Lee : " 

To Jackson's note, informing him that he was wounded. General 
Lee replied : " I cannot express my regret at the occurrence. Could 
I have directed events, I should have chosen, for the good of the 
country, to have been disabled in your stead. I congratulate you 
on the victory which is due to your skill and energy." It was 
on the reception of these touching words that the wounded chief- 
tain exclaimed : " Better that ten Jacksons should fall than one Lee." 
Several days afterward, when his great lieutenant was reported to 
be doing well, Lee playfully sent him word : " You are better oif 
than I am ; for while you have only lost your lef% I have lost my 
right arm." Hearing soon after that Jackson was getting worse, 
he expressed the deepest concern, and said, " Tell him that I 
am praying for him as I believe I have never prayed for myself." 

The 10th of May, 1863, was a beautiful Sabbath-day, and Rev. 
B. T. Lacy, at the special request of the dying chieftain, left his 
bedside to hold his usual services at the headquarters of the Second 
Corps, General Lee was present at the service, and at the conclu- 
sion he took Mr. Lacy aside to inquire particularly after Jackson's 
condition. Upon being told that he would not probably live through 
the day he exclaimed : " O sir, he must not die ! Surely God will 
not visit us with such a calamity. If I have ever prayed in my life 
I have pleaded with the Lord that Jackson might be spared to us." 
And then his heart swelled with emotion too deep for utterance, and 
he turned away to weep like a child. 

The warm friendship which existed between Lee and Jackson is 



53i APPENDIX. 

in beautiful contrast with the petty jealousies and bickeiings which 
have not unfrequently marked the relations and interfered with the 
success of military chieftains. 

The rising fame of Jackson excited no envy in the bosom of Lee ; 
but the praises of the lieutenant were most heartily indorsed by the 
commander-in-chief, who gave him his full confidence and warm 
personal friendship. He announced to the troops the death of 
.Tackson in the following order : 

Headquaetees Aemy Noetheen ViEfiiNiA, May 11, 1S63. 
Oencral Orders No. 61. 

With deep grief the commanding general announces to the army the 
death of Lieutcnant-Gcneral T. J. Jackson, who expired on the 10th instant, 
at a quarter-past 3 p. M. The daring, skill, and energy, of this great and good 
soldier are now, by the decrees of an all-wise Providence, lost to us. But 
while we mourn his death we feel that his spirit still Uves, and will inspire the 
whole army with his indomitable courage and unshaken confidence in God as 
our hope and strength. Let his name be a watchword to his corps, who have 
followed him to victory on so many fields. Let his officers and soldiers 
emulate his invincible determination to do every thing in the defense of our 
beloved country. R. E. Lee, General. 

In a private letter to his wife General Lee wrote : 

" Camp neab Fsedebioebbusg, May 11, 1868. 
. ..." In addition to the death of officers and friends consequent upon 
the late battle, you will see that we have to mourn the loss of the great and 
good Jackson. Any victory would be dear at such a price. His remains go to 
Richmond to-day. I know not how to replace him ; but God's will be done ! 
I trust he will raise up some one in his place. The papers will give you all 
the particulars. I have no time to narrate them." 

The following extract from an article in the Southern Magazine 
on " Stonewall Jackson between his Death-bed and his Grave," by 
Major 11. Kyd Douglas, of Jackson's staff, well illustrates this point : 

" On Monday morning, at the request of the officer in command of the 
Stonewall Brigade, I went to ask General Lee if in his judgment it was 
proper to permit the old brigade, or a part of it, to accompany the remains 
of General Jackson to Richmond as an escort. I found the commander-in 
chief walking in front of his tent, looking sad and thoughtful. He hstcncd 
attentively to my request, and then in, a voice as gentle and sad as his looks. 



._ A 



FBIENDSHIP BETWEEN LEE AND JACKSON. 535 

replied : ' I am sure no one can feel the loss of General Jackson more deeply 
than I do, for no one has the same reason. I have lost a dear friend, and an 
invaluable officer. I can fully appreciate the feelings of the men of his old 
brigade. They have reason to mourn for him, for he was proud of them. 
They have been with him, and true to him, since the beginning of the war. I 
should be glad to grant any request they might make, the object of which 
was to show their regard for their lost general ; and I am sorry that the situ- 
ation of affairs will not justify me in permitting them to go with his corpse 
not only to Richmond, but to Lexington, that they might see it deposited in 
its last resting-place. But it may not be. Those people over the river are 
again showing signs of movement, and it is so necessary for me to be on 
hand that I cannot leave my headquarters long enough to ride to the depot 
and pay my dear friend the poor tribute of seeing his body placed upon the 
cars.' Then, after stating what orders he had sent to Richmond for the 
reception of the remains, he said : ' His friends of the Stonewall Brigade may 
be assured their general will receive all the honor practicable. But as Gen- 
eral Jackson himself never neglected a duty while living, he would not rest 
the quieter in his grave because even his old brigade had left the presence of 
the enemy to see him buried. Tell them how I sympathize with them, and 
appreciate the feelings which prompted their request. Tell them for me 
that, deeply as we all lament the death of their general, yet if his body is 
only to be buried, and his spirit remains behind to inspire his corps and this 
whole army, we may have reason to hope that in the end his death may be 
as great a gain to us as it certainly is to himself" 

His full confidence in Jackson's skill was illustrated in the play- 
ful reply he made to one of his aides who came to his tent on April 
39, 1863, to inform him that the enemy had crossed the river in 
heavy force : " Well I I heard firing, and I was beginning to think 
it was time some of you lazy young fellows were coming to tell me 
what it was all about. Say to General Jaclcson that he hnows just as 
well what to do with the enemy as J <?<?." 

To one of his trusted oflScers he said, after Jackson's death : " I 
had such implicit confidence in Jackson's skill and energy that I 
never troubled myself to give him detailed instructions. The most 
general suggestions were all that he needed." 

In speaking of Jackson one day not long before his own fatal 
illness and of the irreparable loss to the South sustained in his 
death, General Lee said with emphasis: "If I had had Stonewall 
Jackson at Gettysburg we should have won a great victory. And 



536 APPENDIX. 

I feel confident that a complete success there would have resulted 
in the establishment of our independence." 

And this aifectionate confidence of his chief was fully recipro- 
cated by Jackson. In the summer of 1862 (soon after General Lee 
had taken command of the army) some officer ventured to intimate 
in his presence that the new commander was " slow," and that the 
army needed such an active leader as the one who had just double- 
quicked his " foot cavalry " through the splendid " Valley cam- 
paign." Instead of being pleased at the compliment intended to be 
paid him, Jackson replied in indignant tones : " General Lee is not 
' slow.' No one knows the weight upon his heart — his great respon- 
sibilities. He is commander-in-chief, and he knows that if his army 
is lost it cannot be replaced. No ! there may be some persons 
whose good opinion of me may make them attach some weight to 
my views, and if you ever hear that said of General Lee, I beg that 
you will contradict it in my name. I have known General Lee for 
five-and-twenty years. He is cautious. He ought to be. But he is 
not 'sZoM.' Lee is a phenomenon. He is the only man whom I 
would follow blindfold." 

The opinion thus expressed in the early days of their service 
together during the late war (they were comrades in Mexico) seems 
to have strengthened up to the death of Jackson. 

In several private letters to Mrs. Jackson, General Lee expressed 
his warmest admiration and regard for her " great and good hus- 
band." 

The following is given in full, and will be read with deep in- 
terest by many old soldiers who so well remember the coat : 

" LssmoTOW, ViuQiifiA, January 18, 1S63. 
" Mrs. if. A. Jackson, Care of Mr. Jatnes P. Irwin, Charlotte, North Carolina : 

" My dear Mrs. Jackson : In compliance with your wishes, as expressed 
in your note of the 6th instant, I forward by express, to the care of Mr. 
James P. Irwin, Charlotte, North Carolina, the overcoat sent to me by Mr. J. 
R. Bryan, of Virginia. 

" It has appeared to me most proper that this relic of your husband, 
though painfully recalling his death, should be possessed by you, and I take 
great pleasure in transmitting it to you. 

"I inclose you an extract from Mr. Bryan's letter, describing how the 
coat came into his possession, etc. It is a familiar object to my sight, and 



UNVEILING OF THE STATUE. 537 

must recall sad reminiscences to the mind of every soldier of the Army of 
Northern Virginia. 

" With my most earnest wishes for the welfare and happiness of yourself 
and daughter, I am, with great respect, your most obedient servant, 

" R. E. Lee." 

Those wlio have attempted to institute comparisons between Lee 
and Jackson, or to exalt one at the expense of the other, have utterly 
misapprehended the character of both. They were indeed par no- 
hile fratrum. They worked together for the cause they loved — their 
bodies sleep near each other in the beautiful "Valley of Virginia " — 
and it is a pleasing fancy that, when Lee " struck his tent " and 
" crossed over the river to rest under the shade of the trees," Jack- 
son was the first to greet and welcome him to those fadeless joys. 

The following extracts from the papers give some idea of the 
great occasion : 

UNVEILING OF THE STATUE. 

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch, October 27tli. 

Jackson. — The Bronze unveiled. — Grand and Imposing Pageantry. — 
A Procession over Tioo Miles in Length. — Distinguished Officials, 
Confederate Veterans, Military and Civic Societies, Fire Depart- 
ment, and Citisens in Line. — Business abandoned and the Streets 
thronged.— Forty Thousand People crowd the Capitol- Grounds. — 
The Vast Assemblage called to Order. — Prayer by Bishop Doggett, 
and Addresses by Oovernor Kemper and Bev. Dr. Eoge. — Honor's 
to the Chieftain's Widow and Daughter. — Scenes and Incidents. — 
Decoration, Illuminations, and FireworTcs. 

Clear, bold, and distinct, day of all days, yesterday stands out 
in the annals of Richmond, marking an occasion of universal joy, a 
pageantry of extraordinary splendor, and ceremonies of deep and 
abiding interest. With the first gray streaks of dawn its record 
commenced. The drums and bugles sounding the reveille from the 
military quarters awoke, too, the slumbering citizens, and hurried 
them from beds of repose to join the rushing multitudes that early 
filled the streets. In the heart of the city, on the principal business 
thoroughfares, on the fashionable avenues, as well as in distant sub- 
urbs, activity prevailed. For the time Richmond appeared in a 
new and wonderful character. She was a metropolis gayer and 



538 APPENDIX. 

lovelier than Paris. Fresh life and unwonted vigor seemed infused 
into her veins. The old life and its sluggish current were gone. 
Instead of the leisurely movements of people following ordinary 
business pursuits, there were seen crowds dashing hurriedly along, 
jostling each other, striving to get in the best places, wdth eager- 
ness in their eyes and expectation in their faces. 

Trains screeching and whistling emptied upon the streets coach 
after coach of passengers ; vessels sailing up the placid waters of 
the James landed additional hundreds at our wharves ; canal-boats 
brought their portion, and a greater number still, on foot, or in ve- 
hicles, poured in over Mayo's Bridge and the Free Bridge, and by ' 
every road and pathway leading into the city. 

Business was not only suspended but forgotten. Who could at- 
tend to the puny details of every-day life, who could plod over 
ledgers, or worry with hammer or saw, when outside of his door 
events were transpiring sufficient to stir every heart, and to call 
back to life long-buried memories ? For the time the great multi- 
tude of people dropped care, and hope of gain, and all sordid 
thoughts, and with soul and spirit gave themselves up to the grand 
occasion. 

In the early part of the day, while the procession was being 
formed, the throngs of men, women, and children, were largest on 
Broad, and Franklin, and Grace Streets. Everybody seemed to 
meet everybody they ever knew. Old friends long separated in 
many instances met unexpectedly. Many veterans who divided the 
last hard-tack with each other at Appomattox Court-House, and 
then parted to pursue their separate and uncertain paths in life, 
came face to face, and with husky voices and hearty hand-shakes 
renewed their friendship. And the procession, how gorgeous it 
was ! Nature wore her most winning smile, and made more brill- 
iant the bright colors in the line. Oh, who can ever forget the ap- 
pearance of the Confederate veterans, the inspiring music, the wav- 
ing banners reiDresenting all peoples, the gleaming bayonets of the 
infantry, the red plumes of the artillery, the prancing horses of the 
cavalry, the regalia of the civic societies, the carriages filled with 
illustrious Virginians, the flashing uniforms and apparatus of the 
Fire Department, the tens of thousands who looked with admira- 
tion upon the procession ? Beyond all, who that witnessed the cere- 
monies at the Capitol Square, and has lieart to feci, and sympathies 



"UNVEILING OF THE STATUE. 539 

that can be aroused, can let them fade from his memory ? Forty 
thousand people in sight of the stand ; the fervid prayer to God, 
and the uncovered assemblage ; the opening address ; the oration 
of the day ; the unveiling of the statue, and the cheers and salvos 
of artillery that shook the earth as its greeting ; the presentation 
of the daughter of Stonewall Jackson, and her triumphant recep- 
tion by soldiers and citizens ; all these must be ineflaceably graven 
upon the minds of those who were present, especially of the young, 
who will transmit to posterity the impressions with more than the 
glamour of romance. 

The labor of forming the procession was no small one, but it 
was as quickly done as could have been expected. By 11 a. m. it 
was ready to move, and the order to march was given : 

Detachment of City Police. 
Chief-Marshal, General Joseph E. Johnston, Aides, and Staff. 
Colonel B. T. Johnson, oommanding Military and Staff Officers. 
Kessnich's First Virginia Regiment Band, 'sixteen pieces. 
First Regiment Virginia Volunteers, Lieutenant-Colonel Whitehead com- 
manding. 
Color-Guard bearing national flag. 
Virginia Military Institute Band. 
Corps of Cadets carrying the Virginia Colors, and commanded by Colonel 

Ship. 

Blacksburg Cadets (Major Brown in charge), bearing State flag. 

United States Marine Band, from Norfolk. 

Norfolk Light Artillery Blues. 

Norfolk City Guard. 

West Augusta Guard, Captain W. L. Bumgardner, numbering forty-three men, 

rank and "file. 

Petersburg Grays. 

Monticello Guard, of Charlottesville. 

Liberty Guard. 

Richmond Howitzers (four rifled guns). 

Carriages conveying Governor James L. Kemper, General D. H. Hill and wife, 

Rev. Dr. M. D. Hoge, and officiating clergymen, and Commissioners 

of the Statue, and other notabilities. 

Disabled Confederate officers and soldiers. 

Acting Mayor of Richmond and members of the City Coxmcil. 

Gesangverein Virginia, Charles L. Sigel, leader. 

Richmond Philharmonic Association, and other singers. 



540 APPENDIX. 

Caledonian Club in national colors, drum, bagpipe, etc. 
British Association and officers. 
Stonewall Band, Prof. M. F. Turner, leader. 
Members of Jackson's staflf. 
Five hundred survivors of the old Stonewall Brigade, General James A^ 
Walker, commanding, and a member carrying a Confederate battle-flag. 
Cavalry, commanded by General W. H. F. Lee. 
Veterans of the Army of Northern Virginia, commanded by General Fitz Lee, 
including old Howitzers Association, old First Regiment, Fifteenth 
Virginia Regiment Association, Richmond Ambulance 
Corps, Crenshaw and Otey Batteries, and mem- 
bers of many other organizations. 
Artillery of the Army of Northern Virginia, General R. Lindsay Walker, 
commanding. 
Maryland Line, in command of Major-Gcncral J. R. Trimble. 
Walker's Band. 
K. K. Klub. 
Catholic societies, including Catholic Beneficial Society, Total Abstinence 
Society, Ancient Order of Hibernians, St. Benedictus, St. Joseph's, 
St. Bonifacius, McGill's Lyceum, St. Peter's, and others, 
in charge of Marshal John W. Hlggins. 
Members of the Faculty and Students of Richmond College. 
Richmond Fire Department, including five steamers, drawn by four horses 
each, hook-and-ladder truck, the apparatus and harness gayly deco- 
rated, and men in full uniform, G. A. Ainslie, chief. 
Citizens generally. 

Great crowds followed the procession, side by side, as it moved 
down Broad to Nineteenth Street, through Nineteenth to Main, up 
Main to and around Monroe Park to Franklin, down Franklin to 
Fifth, through Fifth to Grace, down Grace to Capitol Square. Gen- 
eral Joseph E. Johnston, General Jubal A. Early, and General W. 
H. F. Lee, and other distinguished persons, were frequently cheered. 
At every point the old Stonewall Brigade was warmly welcomed, 
and the Confederate battle-flag they carried excited hurrahs that 
were hearty and loud, but not rebellious. There were at least a 
hundred national flags, big and little, in the line, and the enormous 
concourse of Confederates, so far from manifesting their disapproval, 
seemed rather to favor their presence. A part of the procession was 
halted for a time in front of the Dispatch office, and the portrait of 



TTNVEILING OF THE STATUE. 54:1 

Stonewall Jackson in our counting-room was viewed with keen in- 
terest by many oiEcers and soldiers. 

The procession was well managed, and its movements were as 
well arranged as was possible under the circumstances. 

Nearly every inhabitant of the city had an opportunity of seeing . 
it, and it was pronounced truly the largest and most imposing one 
ever seen here. Indeed, it was the verdict of many who have wit- 
nessed royal pageants in Europe and democratic pageantry in Amer- 
ica that this had not often been equaled and rarer still excelled. 

Between half-past twelve and one o'clock, the procession reached 
the Capitol-grounds. There were probably thirty thousand people 
there waiting, and many more came in with it. A large space di- 
rectly in front and on each side of the speakers' stand was reserved 
for the procession, and ropes were stretched, and police and soldiers 
stationed to keep out intruders. The difficult and necessarily un- 
gracious task was well done. From every window in the Capitol 
building faces of ladies could be seen ; from Ninth Street to the Gov- 
ernor's house on a line with the north wall of the Capitol, there were 
rows of peojjle eight or ten deep. Caj)itol Street for nearly its whole 
length was likewise packed, and all the house-tops in the vicinity 
from which any view could be obtained were in possession of men, 
who patiently waited for hours to see what was to be done. 

But two carriages were admitted within the grounds. One con- 
tained the widow of Stonewall Jackson and. their daughter Julia, 
and two lady friends, and the other contained Mrs. General J. E. B. 
Stuart, Mrs. D. H. Hill, and friends. 

Kessnich's band had position to the right of the speaker's 
stand ; the singers to the front of the stand. On the left of the 
stand was the veiled statue. The military were drawn up in line 
facing the front side of the stand, and behind them were arranged 
the various orders and organizations taking part. General Joseph 
E. Johnston and General Jubal A. Early each received three cheers 
before the commencement of the ceremonies. 

After no little waiting every thing was made ready, and the 
crowd was allowed to pass up close behind the lines of the military. 

As the chief-marshal. General Joseph E, Johnston, went upon 
the stand he was presented with a beautiful bouquet. There was an 
immense crowd assembled on the south side of the main avenue 
leading to the Executive mansion, and when the chief-marshal rode 



542 APPENDIX. 

down toward the statue with his aides cheer after cheer greeted him. 
Turning slightly in his saddle, he gracefully removed his hat and 
waved it to the crowd. It was said by a gentleman who noticed it 
that at that moment he reminded hixn of General Lee, who had so 
often greeted his soldiers in the same way. 

The platform was a substantial and spacious structure, arranged 
with artistic care, and sufficiently large to accommodate comfortably 
about three hundred persons. But, of course, a much larger num- 
ber succeeded in securing a position upon it. Among the prominent 
persons invited, and who occupied seats upon the stand, were : 

General Joseph E. Johnston, Chief-Marshal ; 

General James L. Kemper, Governor of the Commonwealth ; 

Rev. Bishop D. S. Doggett, D. D., of the Methodist Episcopal Church ; 

General D. H. Hill ; 

United States Senator (Colonel) Robert E. Withers ; 

Ex-Governor Gilbert C. Wallier ; 

Hon. R. L. Ragland, State Senator from Halifax County ; 

General (Senator) Gilbert S. Meem, of Shenandoah County ; 

Colonel John L. Eubank, State Senator from Bath County; 

General William B. Taliaferro ; 

General Jubal A. Early ; 

General Henry Heth ; 

Ex-Lieutenant-Governoi' (Colonel) John L. Marye ; 

Ex-Governor (General) William Smith ; 

Honorable Marshall Hanger, Speaker of the House of Delegates ; 

Judge Christian, of the Supreme Court of Appeals; 

Ex-Governor John Letcher ; 

Colonel James McDonald, Secretary of the Commonwealth ; 

Admiral J. R. Tucker ; 

General W. R. Terry ; 

General Robert Ransom ; 

Honorable Robert Ould ; 

General St. John ; 

Honorable R. M. T. Hunter, State Treasurer ; 

Honorable John A. Meredith, President of the Board of Aldermen ; 

General Bradley T. Johnson ; 

Judge Beverley R. Wellford, Jr. ; 

Captain R. B. Pegram ; 

W. W. Corcoran, Esq., of Washington ; 

Rev. Dr. Dabney, author of the Life of Jackson ; 



UNVEILING OF THE STATUE. 543 

Major Jed. Hotchkiss, of Jackson's staff; 

General James H. Williams ; 

State Senator B. F. Bland ; 

General Asa Eogers ; 

Ex-Governor Theodore J. Randolph, of New Jersey ; 

General M. D. Corse ; 

Colonel Lewis E. Harvie ; 

Dr. Hunter McGuire, of Jackson's staff; 

Colonel William Allan and Rev. J. D. Smith, of Jackson's staff. 

The ceremonies were commenced with the following prayer, 
offered by Bishop D. S. Doggett, of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
South : 

" Almighty God, our heavenly Father, thou art infinitely great and glori- 
ous ; great in goodness, fearful in praises, doing wonders. Thou hast made 
known thy wonders in the works of thy hands, in the counsels of thy grace, 
and in the order of thy providence. 

" Thou art entitled to the homage of all intelligent beings in heaven and 
on earth, from the rising of the sun unto the goLag down thereof. 

" The inhabitants of heaven worship thee. The Church triumphant and 
militant worship thee ; and all nations are commanded to bow down and wor- 
ship at thy footstool. 

" We, thy unworthy servants here assembled this day, desire to join in 
the general concert of thy praise ; to bring the tribute of our homage to thine 
altar, and to render unto thy adorable majesty the healthful sacrifice of our 
worship. 

" We humbly acknowledge thy righteous sovereignty in the government 
of the world ; in assigning to the nations of the earth their respective times 
and places, and in overruling and controUing its events to the benefit of its 
inhabitants and to the glory of thy name. 

" We thank thee for the Christian civilization and the exalted advantages 
of the age in which we live ; and for all the means of religious and social im- 
provement with which thy grace has endowed us. 

"We thank thee that in all ages thou hast raised up useful and gifted 
men to fulfill thy benevolent purposes and to set forth thy praise in the great 
succession of events, and hast made them subservient to the advancement of 
the human race. 

"We thank thee for those illustrious characters with which thou hast 
favored and adorned our country, whose virtuous deeds have ennobled and 
enriched our inheritance. 



54:4 APPENDIX. 

" We especially thank thee that thou hast given to the country and to the 
world, thy servant, whose memory we have met this day to honor and to 
perpetuate to future ages ; for that type of Christian character whicli he illus- 
trated, and for that example of devotion to thy truth which he set amid all 
the duties and perils of his eventful life ; and for that train of favorable cir- 
cumstances which now concurs to render his character impressive and instruc- 
tive to successive generations. 

" And now, Lord God of hosts, we invoke thy benedictions upon the 
transaction of this day ; that it may come up in remembrance before thee, 
and that it may be a blessing to us and to posterity. 

" Grant that the monument erected on this spot, to the honor of thy ser- 
vant, may ever stand as a permanent memorial to thy praise, and a perpetual 
incentive to a high and holy consecration to thy service, in all the avocations 
of life. May it silently and effectually inculcate noble ideas and inspire lofty 
sentiments in all spectators for all time to come. Above all, may it teach 
the youth of the land the solemn lesson of thy word, that the foundation of 
true greatness is fidelity to thee. 

" May all that was good and great in thy servant be sanctified as one of 
the elements of the goodness and greatness of this whole nation. And we 
pray that these United States, with all their diverse peoples and pursuits, 
may be bound together by the ties of an enlightened, cordial, and enduring 
friendship ; that all bitterness and strife may cease between them ; that peace 
and prosperity may prevail in our borders ; that this country may be distin- 
guished by the greatest displays of the gospel, and the highest development of 
mankind ; that other and distant nations may behold in us the spectacle of 
a wise government and of virtuous citizens ; and exclaim, ' Happy is that peo- 
ple whose God is the Lord.' 

" Bless the Commonwealth of Virginia. May she ever be an instance and 
a witness of civil and religious liberty, of unfaltering public rectitude, of so- 
cial and domestic virtue, and of Christian culture. And may she never want 
wise and good men to enlighten her councils and to guide her affairs. 

" We lift the voice of our prayer to thee, Lord God, in behalf of all the 
nations of the earth ; that thou wouldst grant to them the light of thy truth, 
and the inestimable boon of good government, of religious liberty, and of 
Christian civilization. 

" We devoutly implore the richest blessing upon the surviving consort of 
thine honored servant. Be unto hei* the God of the widow. Grant unto her 
abundantly the succors of thy grace and the supplies of thy providence, and 
throw over her the shield of thy protecting hand. May her lengthened 
life be cheered with the consolations of thy Holy Spirit, and its evening be 
serene with thy peace, and the hope of a blessed immortality. 



GOVEKNOK KEMPEk's ADDKESS. 5d5 

" We commend to thy fatherly care the daughter of thy departed servant. 
May she be numbered with the objects of thy peculiar favor, cherished with 
the jewels of thy treasure, and enjoy the inheritance of thy saints. May her 
youth be guarded and gladdened by thy presence, and adorned with the 
beauties of holiness, and her maturer years enriched with the precious fruits 
of pious joys and confiding friendships. Direct her earthly fortunes, and 
finally crown her with the felicities of the world to come. 

" In thy great clemency, Lord, pardon our iniquities. Hear thou in 
heaven, thy dwelling-place ; and when thou hearest, forgive. Accept our 
persons and our services, and eternally save us through Jesus Christ, our 
Lord, in whose ever-blessed name we pray : Our Father, who art in heaven, 
hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as 
it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tres- 
passes, as we forgive them that trespass against us ; and lead us not into 
temptation, but deliver us from evil ; for thine is the kingdom, and the 
power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen." 

While the prayer was being offered every man took off his hat, 
the most reverential attention was paid, and those on and around 
the stand joined in ^Yith the minister in saying the Lord's Prayer. 
Next followed Governor Kemper's address: 

GOVERNOR KEMPER'S ADDRESS. 

My Countetmen : The oldest of the States has called together this great 
concourse of her sons and her daughters, with honored representatives of 
both the late contending sections of our common country. On this day, 
abounding with stem memories of the past and great auguries of the future, 
1 come to greet you ; and, in the name and by authority of Virginia, I bid 
you all and each welcome, a heart-warm welcome, to her capital. 

With a mother's tears and love, with ceremonies to be chronicled in her 
archives and transmitted to the latest posterity, the Commonwealth this day 
emblazons the virtues, and consecrates in enduring bronze the image, of her 
mighty dead. Not for herself alone, but for the sister States whose sons he 
led in war, Virginia accepts and she will proudly preserve the sacred trust 
now consigned to her perpetual custody. Not for the Southern people only, but 
for every citizen of whatever section of the American Republic, this tribute 
to illustrious virtue and genius is transmitted to the coming ages, to be cher- 
ished, as it will be with national pride, as one of the noblest memorials of a 
common heritage of glory. Nay, in every country and for all mankind, 
Stonewall Jackson's career, of unconscious heroism will go down as an inspira- 
35 



546 APPENDIX. 

tion, teaching the power of courage and conscience and faith directed to the 
glory of God. 

As this tribute has sprung from the admiration and sympathy of kindred 
hearts in another continent ; as the eyes of Christendom have been turned 
to behold the achievements of the man, so will the heroic life here enshrined 
radiate back, to the remotest bounds of the world, the lessons its example 
has taught. 

It speaks to our fellow-citizens of the Xorth, and, reviving no animosities 
of the bloody past, it commands their respect for the valor, the manhood, 
the integrity, and honor, of the people of whom this Christian warrior was a 
representative type and champion. 

It speaks to our stricken brethren of the South, bringing back nis sub- 
lime simplicity and faith, iiis knightly and incorruptible fidelity to each 
engagement of duty ; and it stands an enduring admonition and guarantee 
that sooner shall the sun reverse its course in the heavens than his comrades 
and IIIS compatriot people shall prove recreant to the parole and contract of 
honor which binds them, in the fealty of freemen, to the Constitution and 
union of the States. 

It speaks with equal voice to every portion of the reunited common coun- 
try, warning all that impartial justice and impartial right, to the \orth and to 
the South, are the only pillars on which the arch of the Federal Union can se- 
curely rest. 

It represents that unbought spirit of honor which prefers death to degra- 
dation, and more feels a stain than a wound ; which is the stern nurse of 
freemen, the avenging genius of liberty, and which teaches and proclaims 
that the free consent of the governed is at once the strength and the glory of 
the government. 

It stands forth a mute protest before the world against that rule of tyrants 
which, wanting faith in the instincts of honor, would distrust and degrade a 
brave and proud but unfortunate people, which would bid them repent, in 
order to be forgiven, of such deeds and achievements as heroes rejoice to 
perform, and such as the admiration of mankind in every age has covered 
with glory. 

Let the spirit and design, with which we erect this memorial to-day, 
admonish our whole country that the actual reconciliation of the States must 
come, and, so far as honorably in us lies, shall come ; but that its work will 
never be complete until the equal honor and equal liberties of each section 
shall be acknowledged, vindicated, and maintained, by both. We have 
buried the strifes and passions of the past; we now perpetuate impartial 
honor to whom honoi* is due, and, stooping to resent no criticism, we stand 
with composure and trust ready to greet every token of just and constitu- 
tional pacification. 



ORATION BY REV. MOSES D. HOGE, D. D. 547 

Then let tbis statue endure, attesting to the world for us and our children, 
honor, homage, reverence for the heroism of our past, and at the same time 
the knightliest fidelity, to our obligations of the present and the future. 

Let it endure as a symbol of the respect which both the sections will 
accord to the illustrious dead of each, signifying, not that either will ever be 
prepared to apologize to the other, but that, while calmly differing as to the 
past, neither will defile its record, each will assert its manhood, its rectitude 
and its honor, and both will equally and jointly strive to consolidate the 
liberty and the peace, the strength and the glory, of a common and indissol- 
uble country. 

Let it endure as a perpetual expression of that world-wide sympathy with 
true greatness which prompted so noble a gift from Great Britain to Vir- 
ginia ; and let its preservation attest the gratitude of the Commonwealth to 
those great-hearted gentlemen of England who originated and procured it as 
a tribute to the memory of her son. 

Let this statue stand, with its mute eloquence to inspire our children with 
patriotic fervor, and to maintain the prolific power of the Commonwealth in 
bringing forth men as of old. Let Virginia, beholding her past in the light of 
this event, take heart and rejoice in her future. Mother of States and sages 
and heroes ! bowed in sorrow, with bosom bruised and wounded, with gar- 
ments rent and rolled in blood, arise and dash away all tears ! No stain dims 
your glittering escutcheon ! Let your brow be lifted up with the glad con- 
sciousness of unbroken pride and unsullied honor! Demand and resume 
complete possession of your ancient place in the sisterhood of States ; and go 
forward to the great destiny which, in virtue of the older and the later days, 
belongs to the co-sovereign Commonwealth of Virginia. 

It is in no spirit of mourning, it is with the stern joy and pride befitting 
this day of heroic memories, that I inaugurate these ceremonies in the name 
of the people. 

The eulogist of the dead, the orator of the day, now claims your attention. 
He needs no encomium from me. I present him, the companion and friend 
of Jackson, th6 reverend man of God — Moses D. Hoge. 

ORATION BY REV. MOSES B. HOGE, B.D. / 

Were I permitted at this moment to consult my own wishes, I would bid 
the thunder of the cannon and the acclamations of the people announce the 
unveiling of the statue ; and then, when, with hearts beating with commingled 
emotions of love and grief and admiration, we had contemplated this last and 
noblest creation of the genius of the great sculptor, the ceremonies of this 
august hour should end. 



548 APPENDIX. 

In attempting to commence my oration, I am forciljly reminded of the 
faltering words with which Bossuct began his splendid eulogy on the Prince 
of Condd. Said he: "At the moment I open my lips to celebrate the im- 
mortal glory of the Prince of Conde I find myself equally overwhelmed by the 
greatness of the theme and the Heedlessness of the task. What part of the 
habitable world has not heard of his victories, and the wonders of his life ? 
Everywhere they are rehearsed. His own countrymen in extolling them can 
give no information even to the stranger. And although I may remind you 
of them, yet every thing I could say would be anticipated by your thoughts 
and I should suffer the reproach of falling far below them." 

How true is all this to-day ! Not only is every important event in the hfe 
of our illustrious chieftain familiar to you all, but what lesson to be derived 
from his example has not already been impressively enforced by those whose 
genius, patriotism, and piety, have qualifed them to speak in terms worthy of 
their noble theme ? And now that the statesman and soldier, who well 
represents the honor of Virginia, as its chief magistrate, has given his warm 
and earnest welcome to our distinguished guests from other States, and from 
other lands, who honor this occasion by their presence, I would not venture 
to proceed had not the Commonwealth laid on me its command to utter some 
words of greeting to my fellow-countrymen who this day do honor to them- 
selves in rendering homage to the memory of Virginia's illustrious son. 

I cannot repress an emotion of awe as I vainly attempt to overlook the 
mighty throng, extending as it does beyond the limits of these Capitol 
grounds, and covering spaces which cannot even be reached by the eye of the 
speaker. More impressive is this assemblage of citizens and representatives 
from all parts of our own and of foreign lands, than ever gathered on the 
banks of the ancient Alpheus at one of the solemnities which united the men of 
all the Grecian states and attracted strangers from the most distant countries. 
There was indeed one pleasing feature in the old Hellenic festivals. The en- 
tire territory around Olympia was consecrated to peace during their celebra- 
tion, and there even enemies might meet as friends and brothers, and in har- 
mony rejoice in their ancestral glories and national renown. It is so with us 
to-day. But how deficient in moral interest was the old Olympiad, and how 
wanting in one feature which gives grace to our solemnity ! No citizen, no 
stranger, however honored, was permitted to bring with him either mother, 
wife, or daughter, but here to-day how many of the uol)le women of the land, 
of whom the fabled Alcestis, Antigone, and Iphigcnia, were but the imperfect 
types, lend the charm of their presence to the scene — Christian women of a 
nobler civilization than pagan antiquity ever knew ! 

We have come from the sea-shore, the mountains, and the valleys of our 
South-land, not only to inaugurate a statue, but a new era in our history. 



ORATION BY EEV, MOSES D. HOGE, D. D. 549 

Here on this Capitoline Hill, on this 26th day of October, 18Y5, and in the 
one hundredth year of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in sight of that his- 
toric river that more than two centuries and a half ago bore on its bosom 
the bark freighted with the civilization of the North American Continent, on 
whose banks Powhatan wielded his sceptre and Pocahontas launched her 
skiff, under the shadow of that Capitol whose foundations were laid before 
the present Federal Constitution was framed, and from which the edicts of 
Virginia went forth over her realm that stretched from the Atlantic to the 
Mississippi — edicts framed by some of the patriots whose manly forms on 
yonder monument still gather around him whose name is the purest in hu- 
man history — we have met to inaugurate a new Pantheon to the glory of our 
common mother. 

In the story of the empires of the earth some crisis often occurs which 
develops the genius of the era, and impresses an imperishable stamp on the 
character of a whole people. 

Such a crisis was the Eevolution of 1116, when thirteen thinly-settlecf 
and widely-separated colonies dared to offer the gage of battle to the great- 
est military and naval power on the globe. 

The story of that struggle is the most familiar in American annals. 
After innumerable reverses, and incredible sufferings and sacrifices, our fa- 
thers came forth from the ordeal victorious. And, though during the progress 
of the strife, before calm reflection had quieted the violence of inflamed 
passion, they were branded by opprobrious names and their revolt denounced 
as rebellion and treason, the justice of their cause, and the wisdom, the 
valor, and the determination with which they vindicated it, were quickly 
recognized and generously acknowledged by the bravest and purest of Brit- 
ish soldiers and statesmen ; so that now, when we seek the noblest eulogies 
of the founders of American republicanism, we find them in the writings of 
the essayists and historians of the mother-country. We honor ourselves, 
and do homage to virtue, when we hallow the names of those who in the 
council and in the field achieved such victories ! We bequeath an influence 
which will bless coming generations, when with the brush and the chisel we 
perpetuate the images of our fathers and the founders of the State ! Al- 
ready has the noble office been begun. Here on this hill the forms of Wash- 
ington, and Henry, and Lewis, and Mason, and Nelson, and Jefferson, and 
Marshall, arrest our eyes, and make their silent but salutary and stirring 
appeals to our hearts. Nor are these all who merit eternal commemoration. 
As I look on that monument, I miss James Madison, and others of venerable 
and illustrious name. Let us not cease our patriotic work, until we have 
reared a Pantheon worthy of the undymg glory of the past ! 

But this day we inaugurate a new era. We lay the comer-stone of a 



550 APPEITDIX. 

new Pantheon in commemoration of our country's fame. We come to honor 
the memory of one wlio was the impersonation of our Confederate cause, 
and whose genius illumined the great contest which has recently ended, and 
which made an epoch not only in our own history, but in that of the age. 

We assert no monopoly in the glory of that leader. It was his happy 
lot to command, even while he lived, the respect and admiration of right- 
minded and right-hearted men in every part of this land, and in all lands. 
It is now his rare distinction to receive the homage of those who most 
differed with him on the questions which lately rent this republic in twain 
from ocean to ocean. From the North and from the South, from the East 
and from the West, men have gathered on these grounds to-day, widely 
divergent in their views on social, political, and religious topics, and yet 
they find, in the attraction which concentrates their regard upon one name, 
a place where their hearts-unexpectedly touch each other and beat in strange 
unison. 

It was this attractive moral excellence which, winning the love and 
admiration of the brave and pure on the other side of the sea, prompted 
them to enlist the genius of one of the greatest of modern sculptors in 
fashioning the statue we have met to inaugurate this day. 

It is a singular and striking illustration of the world-wide appreciation 
of his character, that the first statue of Jackson comes from abroad, and 
that while the monument to our own Washington, and the effigies of those 
who surround him, were erected by order of the Commonwealth, this me- 
morial is the tribute of the admiration and love of those who never saw his 
face, and who were bound to him by no ties save those which a common 
8}Tnpathy for exalted worth establishes between the souls of magnanimous 
and heroic men. We accept this noble gift all the more gratefully because 
it comes from men of kindred race and kindred heart, as the expression of 
their good-will and sympathy for our people as well as of their admiration 
for the genius and character of our illustrious hero. 

We accept it as the visible symbol of the ancient friendship which 
existed in colonial times between Virginia and the mother-country. We 
accept it as a prophecy of the incoming of British settlers to our sparsely- 
populated territory, and hail it as a pleasing omen for the future that the 
rebuilding of our shattered fortunes should be aided by the descendants 
of the men who laid the foundations of this Commonwealth. We accejjt 
it as a pledge of the peaceful relations which we trust will ever exist be- 
tween Great Britain and the confederated empire formed by the United 
States of America. 

In the first memorial discourse that was delivered after his lamented 
death, the question was asked, " IIow did it happen that a man who so 



OEATION BY KEV. MOSES D. HOGE, D. D. 551 

recently was known to but a small circle, and to them only as a laborious, 
punctilious, humble-minded Professor in a Military Institute, in so brief a 
space of time gathered around his name so much of the glory which en- 
circles the name of Napoleon, and so much of the love that enshrines the 
memory of Washington ? " And soon after, in the memoir which will go 
down to coming generations as the most faithful portraiture of its subject, 
and an enduring monument of the genius of its author, the inquiry was re- 
sumed : " How is it that this man, of all others least accustomed to exercise 
his own fancy or address that of others, has stimulated the imagination not 
only of his own countrymen, but that of the civilized world ? How has he, 
the most unromantic of great men, become the hero of a living romance, 
the ideal of an inflamed fancy, even before his life has been invested with 
the mystery of distance ? " From that day to this, these inquiries have been 
propounded in every variety of form, and with an ever-increasing interest. 

To answer these questions will be one object of this discourse ; and 
yet the public will not expect me, in so doing, to furnish a new delineation of 
the life of Jackson, or a rehearsal of the story of his campaigns. Time does 
not permit this, neither does the occasion demand it. By a brief series of 
ascending propositions, do I seek to furnish the solution. I find an explana- 
tion of the regard in which the memory of Jackson is cherished — 

1. In the fact that he was the incarnation of those heroic qualities which 
fit their possessor to lead and command men, and which therefore always at- 
tract the admiration, kindle the imagination, and arouse the enthusiasm of 
the people. 

There is a natural element in humanity which constrains it to honor that 
which is strong, and adventurous, and indomitable. Decision, fortitude, in- 
flexibility, intrepidity, determination, when consecrated to noble ends, and es- 
pecially when associated with a gentleness which throws a softened charm 
over these sterner attributes, ever win and lead captive the popular heart. 

The masses who compose the commonalty, consciously weak and irresolute, 
instinctively gather around the men of loftier stature in whom they find the 
great forces wanting in themselves, and spontaneously follow the call of 
those whom they think competent to redress their wrongs and vindicate their 
rights. 

These are the leaders who are welcomed by the people with open arms, 
and elevated to the high places of the earth, to become the regents of society 
— to develop the history of the age in which they live, and to impress upon 
it the noble image of their own personality. 

As discoverers love to trace great rivers to their sources, so, in our studies 
of the characters of those who have filled large spaces in the public eye, it 
interests us to go backward in search of the rudimentary germs which after- 



552 APPENDIX. 

ward dcvilopcd into the groat qualities which commanded the admiration of 
the world. 

Never was the adage, " The child is the father of the man," more strikingly 
illustrated than in the early history of the orphan boy whose name subse- 
quently became a tower of strength to the armies he commanded, and to the 
eleven sovereign States banded and battling together for a separate national 
life. 

There is no more graphic picture on the pages of Macaulay than that of 
Warren Hastings, at the age of seven, lying on the bank of a rivulet which 
flowed through the broad lands which were once the propei'ty of his ances- 
tors, and there forming the resolve that all that domain should one day be his, 
and never abandoning his purpose through all the vicissitudes of his stormy 
life, until, as the " Hastings of Daylesford," he tasted a joy which his heart 
never knew in the command of the millions over whom he ruled in the Indian 
empire. 

But stranger still was it to see a pensive, delicate orphan child of the same 
age, the inheritor of a feeble constitution, yet with a will even more indomi- 
table than that of Warren Hastings, renouncing his home with a relative, who, 
mistaking his disposition, had attempted to govern him by force, and alone 
and on foot performing a journey of eighteen miles to the house of another 
kinsman, where he suddenly presented himself, announcing his unalterable 
resolve never to return to his former home — a decision which no remon- 
strances or persuasions could induce him to revoke ; and stranger still to see 
him, the year after, on a lonely island of the Mississippi River, in company with 
another child, a few years his senior, maintaining himself by his own labor, 
until driven by malaria from the desolate spot where beneath the dreary for- 
ests and beside the angry floods of the Father of Waters he had displayed the 
self-reliance and hardihood of a man, at a period of life when children are 
ordinarily scarcely out of the nursery. This inflexibility of purpose and de- 
tiance of hardship and danger in the determination to succeed were displayed 
in all his subsequent career — whether we see him at West Point, overcoming 
the disadvantages of a deficient preliminary education by a severity of appli- 
cation almost unparalleled, in accordance with the motto he inscribed in bold 
characters on a page in his commonplace-book, "You may be whatever you 
resolve to be " — or whether we follow him through the Mexican campaign, 
winning his first laurels at Churubusco, and at Chapultepec, where he received 
his second promotion — or whether we accompany him to his quiet retreat in 
Lexington, where, after the termination of the Mexican War, he filled the post 
of Professor in the Military Institute, and there affording a new exhibition of 
his determination in overcoming obstacles more formidable than those en- 
countered in the field, in the persistent discharge of every duty in spite of 
feeble health and threatened loss of sight. 



OKATIOJJ BY KEV. MOSES D. HOGE, D. D. 553 

I know of no picture in bis life more impressive than that which presents 
him as he sat in his study during the still hours of the night, unable to use 
book or lamp — with only a mental view of diagrams and models, and the arti- 
ficial signs required in abstruse calculations, holding long and intricate pro- 
cesses of mathematical reasoning with the steady grasp of thought, his face 
turned to the blank, dark wall, until he mastered every difficulty and made 
complete preparations for the instructions of the succeeding day. 

These years of self-discipline, and self-enforced severity of regimen, main- 
tained with rigid austerity, through years of seclusion from public life, consti- 
tuted the propitious season for the full maturing of those faculties whose 
energy was so soon to be displayed on a field which attracted the attention 
of the world. 

"When his native State, which had long stood in the attitude of magnani- 
mous mediation between the hostile sections, in the hope of preserving the 
Union which she had assisted in forming, and to whose glory she had made 
such contributions, was menaced by the rod of coercion, and compelled to 
decide between submission or separation, then Jackson, who would have 
cheerfully laid down his life to avert the disruption, ia accordance with the 
principles of the political school in which he had been trained, and which 
commanded his conscientious assent, hesitated no longer, but went straight to 
his decision as the beam of hght goes from its God to the object it illumes. 
Simultaneously with the striking of the clock which announced the hour of 
his departure with his cadets for the camp of instruction in this city, the com- 
mand to march was given. Never was there a home dearer than his own ; 
but he left it, never again to cross its threshold. From that time, as we are 
told, he never asked or received a furlough — was never absent from duty for 
a day, whether sick or well, and never slept one night outside the lines of his 
own command. And passing over a thousand occasions which the war af- 
forded for the exercise of his unconquerable will, there is something impres- 
sive in the fact that the very last order which ever fell from his lips, was a 
revelation of its unabated force. After he had received his fatal wound, while 
pale with anguish, and faint with loss of blood, he was informed by one of 
his generals that the men under his command had been thrown into such 
confusion that he feared he could not hold his ground, the voice which was 
growing tremulous and low, thrilled the heart of that officer with the old au- 
thoritative tone, as he uttered his final order, " General, you must keep your 
men together, and hold your ground." 

These were the elements which shaped Jackson's distinctive character- 
istics as a soldier and commander, which may be most concisely stated : a 
natural genius for the art of war, without which no professional training will 
ever develop the highest order of military talent ; a power of abstraction and 



55i APPENDIX. 

self-concentration which enabled him to determine every proper combination 
and disposition of his forces, without the slightest mental confusion — even in 
those supreme moments when his face and form underwent a sort of trans- 
figuration amid the flame and thunder of battle ; a conviction of the moral 
superiority of aggressive over defensive warfare in elevating the courage of 
his own men and in depressing that of the enemy ; an almost intuitive insight 
into the plans of the enemy, and an immediate perception of the time to strike 
the most stunning blow, from the most unlooked-for quarter ; a conviction of 
the necessity of folio iving every such blow with another, and more terrible, 
so as to make every success a victory, and every victory so complete as to 
compel the speedy termination of the war. 

In the county where all that is mortal of this great hero sleeps, there is a 
natural bridge of rock whose massive arch, fashioned with grace by the hand 
of God, springs lightly toward the sky, spanning a chasm into whose awful 
depths the beholder looks down bewildered and awe-struck. That bridge is 
among the cliffs what Niagara is among the waters — a visible expression of 
subhmity — a glimpse of God's great strength and power. 

But its grandeur is not diminished because tender vines clamber over its 
gigantic piers, or because sweet-scented flowers nestle in its crevices, and 
warmly color its cold, gray columns. Nor is the granite strength of our dead 
chieftain's character weakened because in every throb of his heart there was 
a pulsation so ineffably and exquisitely tender as to liken him, even amid 
the horrors of war, to the altar of pity which ancient mythology reared among 
the shrines of strong and avenging deities. 

This admirable commingling of strength and tenderness in his nature is 
touchingly illustrated by a letter, now for the first time made public. 

An officer under his command had obtained leave of absence to visit a 
stricken household. A beloved member of his family had just died ; another 
was seriously ill, and he applied for an extension of his furlough. This is the 
reply : 

" My dear Major : I have received your sad letter and wish I could relieve 
your sorrowing heart, but human aid cannot heal the wound. 

" From me you have a friend's sympathy, and I wish the suffering condi- 
tion of our country permitted me to show it. But we must think of the liv- 
ing and of those wiio are to come after us, and see that, with God's blessing, 
we transmit to them the freedom wo have enjoyed. What is life without 
honor ? Degradation is worse than death. It is necessary that you should 
be at your post immediately. Join me to-morrow morning. 
" Your sympathizing friend, 

" Thomas J. Jackso.n." 

Not only was he sensitive to every touch of human sorrow, but no man 
was ever more susceptible to impressions from the physical world. The hum 



ORATION BY KEV. MOSES D. HOGE, D. D. 555 

) 

of bees, the fragrance of clover-fields, the tender streaks of dawn, the dewy 
brightness of the early spring, the mellow glories of the matured autumn, 
all by turns charmed and tranquillized him. The eye that so often sent its 
lightning through the smoke of battle, grew soft in contemplating the beauty 
of a flower. The ear that thrilled with the thunder of the cannonade, drank 
in with innocent delight the song of birds, and the prattle of children's voices. 
The hand which guided the i-ush of battle on the plains of Manassas, and the 
Malvern hills, was equally ready to adjust the covei'ing around the tender 
frame of a motherless babe, when at midnight he rose to see if it was com- 
fortable and warm, though its own father was a guest under his roof. The 
voice whose sharp and ringing tones had so often uttered the command, 
" Give them the bayonet ! " culled even from foreign tongues terms of endear- 
ment for those he loved which his own language did not adequately supply ; 
and the man who filled two hemispheres with the story of his fame was never 
so happy as when he was telling the colored children of his Sabbath-school 
the story of the cross. 

2. Another explanation of the universal regard with which his memory is 
hallowed, conducts to a higher plane, and enables us to contemplate a still 
nobler phase of his character, j His was the greatness which comes without 
being sought for its own sake— the unconscious greatness which results from 
self-sacrifice and supreme devotion to duty. Duty is an altar from which a 
vestal flame is ever ascending to the skies, and he who stands nearest to 
that flame catches most of its radiance, and in that light is himself made lu- 
minous forever. 

The day after the first battle of Manassas, and before the history of that 
victory had reached Lexington in authentic form, rumor, preceding any ac- 
curate account of that event, had gathered a crowd around the post-office 
awaiting with intensest interest the opening of the mail. In its distribution, 
the first letter was handed to the Rev. Dr. White. It was from General 
Jackson. Eecognizing ai a glance the well-laiown superscriiition, the doctor 
exclaimed to those around him, "Now we shall know all the facts." 

This was the bulletin ! 

" My dear Pastor : In my tent last night, after a fatiguing day's ser- 
vice, I remembered that I had failed to send you my contribution for our col- 
ored Sunday-school. Inclosed you will find my check for that object, which 
please acknowledge at your earliest convenience, and oblige 

" Yours, faithfully, Thos. J. Jackson." 

Not a word about the conflict which had electrified a nation ! Not an 
allusion to the splendid part he had taken in it ; not a reference to himself, 
beyond the fact that it had been to him a fatiguing day's service. And yet 
that was the day ever memorable m his history — memorable in all history — 



556 APPENDIX. 

when he received the name which is destined to supplant the name his par- 
ents gave him — Stonewall Jackson. MVhcn his brigade of twenty-six 
hundred men had for hours withstood the iron tempest which broke upon it 
without causing a waver in its line, and when, on his right, the forces under 
the command of the gallant General Bee had been overwhelmed in the rush 
of resistless numbers, then was it that the event occurred which cannot, be 
more graphically described than in the burning words of his biographer : 

" It was then that Bee rode up to Jackson, and with despairing bitterness 
exclaimed, ' General, they are beating us back.' ' Then,' said Jackson, calm 
and curt, ' we will give them the bayonet.' Bee seemed to catch the inspira- 
tion of his determined will, and, gall6ping back to the broken fragments of 
his overtaxed command, exclaimed : ' There is Jackson, standing like a stone- 
wall. Rally behind the Virginians ! ' At this trumpet-call a few score of 
his men reformed their ranks. Placing himself at the head, he charged the 
dense mass of the enemy, and in a moment fell dead with his f\ice to the 
foe. From that time Jackson's was known as the Stonewall Brigade — a 
name henceforth immortal, and belonging to all the ages ; for the christen- 
ing was baptized in the blood of its author ; and that wal' of brave hearts 
was, on every battle-field, a steadfast bulwark of their country. "j 

The letter written to his pastor in Lexington on the day following that 
battle gives the key-note to his character. Nor on any occasion was he the 
herald of his own fame ; never, save by the conscientious discharge of duty, 
did he aid in the dissemination of that fame. Never did he perfonn an act 
for the sake of what men might say of it ; and while he felt all the respect 
for public opinion to which it is justly entitled, he was not thinking of what 
the public verdict might be, but of what it was right to do. The attainment 
of no personal ends could satisfy aspirations like his. To ascertain what 
was true, to do what was best, to fill up the narrow measure of life with the 
largest possible usefulness, was his single-licarted purpose. In such a 
career, if enjoyment should come, or well-earned fame, or augmented influ- 
ence, or the power which accompanies promotion, they must all come as inci- 
dents by the way, as satellites which gather around a central orb, and not as 
the consummation toward which he ever tended. This singleness of aim 
was inseparable from a soul so sincere. A nature like his was incapable of 
employing the meretricious aids by which some men seek to heighten or 
advance their reputation. 

Hence he never affected mystery. His reticence was not the assumption 
of impenetrability of purpose. His reserve was not the artifice of one who 
seeks to awe by making himself unapproachable. He hedged himself 
about with no barrier of exclusiveness. He assumed no airs of portentous 
dignity. He studied no dramatic effects. On the field, so far from conde- 



OEATIOX BY EEV. MOSES D. HOGE, D. D. 557 

scending to those histrionic displays of person, or theatrical arts of speech, 
by which some commanders have sought to excite the enthusiasm of their 
armies, when his troops caught sight of his faded uniform and sunburnt cap, 
and shook the air with their shouts as he rode along the lines, he quickened 
his gallop and escaped from view. When among the mountain pyramids, 
older than those to which the first Napoleon pointed, he did not remind his 
men that the centuries were looking down on them. When on the plain, he 
drilled no eagles to perch on his banners, as the third Napoleon was said to 
have done. But one thing he did, he impressed his men with such an intense 
conviction of his unselfish and supreme consecration to the cause for which 
he had periled all, and so kindled them with his own magnetic fire, as to 
fuse them into one articulated body — one heart throbbing through all the 
members, one spirit animating the entire frame — that heart, that spirit, his 
own. It was his sublime indifference to personal danger — to personal com- 
fort and personal aggrandizement — that gave him such power over the armies 
he commanded, and such a place in the hearts of the people of the Confed- 
erate States. 

The true test of attachment to any cause is what one is willing to suffer for 
its advancement, and it is the spectacle of disinterested devotion to the right 
and true at the cost of toil, and travail, and blood, if need be, that captivates 
the popular heart, and calls forth its admiration and sweetest affection. He 
who exhibits most of this spirit is the man who unconsciously wins for him- 
self enduring fame. When he passes from earth to a higher and diviner 
sphere his influence does not perish. It is not the transient brilliance of the 
meteor, but the calm radiance of a star, whose light uudimmed and undimin- 
ished comes down to kindle all true and brave souls through immeasurable 
time. Exalted by the disinterested works he has wrought, by his example he 
elevates others, and thus becomes the trellis, strong and high, on which other 
souls may stretch themselves in the pursuit of whatsoever is excellent in 
human character and achievement. 

Such a man was Jackson. Such is the recognition of him beyond the sea, 
of which this statue is the token. Such is our appreciation of his claim upon 
our gratitude — upon our undying love — in testimony of which we gather 
around this statue to-day, and crown it with the laurel, first moistened by our 
tears. 

3. But this universal sentiment of regard for his memory rests upon 
foundations which lie still deeper in the human heart. At the mention of his 
name another idea, inseparably associated with it, invariably asserts its place 
in the mental portraitm-e which all men acquainted with his history have 
formed of him, and so I announce, as the third and last explanation of the 
homage awarded him, the sincerity, the purity, and the elevation of his char- 
acter as a servant of the Most High God. 



558 APPENDIX. 

No one acquainted with the moral historj' of the world can for a moment 
doubt that religious veneration is at once the profoundest and most universal 
of human instincts ; and however individual men may chafe at tlie restraints 
which piety imposes, or be indifferent to its obligations, yet there is a senti- 
ment in the popular heart which compels its homage for those whose charac- 
ter and lives most faithfully reflect the beauty of the Divine Image. 

When a man, already eminent by great virtues and services, attains great 
eminence in piety and wears the coronal of heaven on his brow, because the 
spirit of heaven has found its home in his heart, then the world, involuntarily, 
or with hearty readiness, places him on a higher pedestal, because, with their 
love and admiration for the attractive qualities of the man, there is mingled a 
veneration for the ennobling graces of the Christian. 

I do not agree with those who ascribe all that was admirable in the char- 
acter of Jackson and all that was splendid in his career to his religious faith. 
He was distinguished before faith became an element in his life, and even 
after his faith attained its fullest development it did not secure the triumph 
of the cause to which his life was a sacrifice. 

But this I say, that his piety heightened every virtue, gave direction and 
force to every blow he struck for that cause, and then consecration to the 
sacrifice when he laid down his life on the altar of his country's liberties. He 
was purer, stronger, more courageous, more efficient because of his piety ; 
purer, because penitence strains the soul of the corruptions which defile it ; 
stronger, because faith nerves the arm that takes hold on omnipotence ; more 
courageous, because hope gives exaltation to the heroism of one who fights 
with the crown of life ever in view ; more efficient, because religion, which is 
but another name for the right use of one's own faculties, preserves them all 
in harmonious balance, develops all in symmetrical proportion, and by freeing 
them from the warping power of prejudice, the bUnding influence of passion, 
and the debasing slavery of evil habits, gives them all wholesome exercise, 
trains them all to keep step to the music of duty, and inspires them with 
an energy which is both intense and rightly directed. 

It was thus that" he gave to the world an illustration of the power which 
results from the union of the loftiest human attributes and uixfaltering faith 
in God. 

To attempt, therefore, to portray the life of Jackson while leaving out the 
religious element, would be like undertaking " to describe Switzerland with- 
out making mention of the Alps " — or to explain the fertility of the land of 
the Pharaohs without taking into account the enriching Nile. 

If what comes from the speaker to-day on this subject loses aught of its 
force because it is regarded as professional, he will deeply regret it. The 
same testimony might have more weight from the lips of many a statesman 



ORATION BY REV. MOSES D. HOGE, D. D. 559 

or soldier on these grounds to-day, but it would not be a whit more true. 
Sturdy old Thomas Carlyle, at all events, was not speaking professionally 
when he said : " A man's religion is the chief fact with regard to him. . . . 
The thing a man does practically lay to heart concerning his vital relation 
to this mysterious universe, and his duty and destiny there, that is in all cases 
the primary thing for him, and determines all the rest." 

It was surely the primary fact — the supreme fact in the history of General 
Jackson ; and I cannot leave the subject without adding that those who con- 
found his faith in Providence with fatalism mistake both the spiritual history 
of the man and the meaning of the very words they employ. 

Those who imagine that his faith savored of bigotry do not know that one 
characteristic of his religion was its generous catholicity, as might well be 
inferred from the fact that the first spiritual guides whose instructions he 
sought were members of communions widely different in doctrine and polity ; 
that when he connected himself with the church of his choice it was with 
doubts of the truth of some of its articles of doctrine — doubts ultimately and 
utterly removed, indeed, but openly avowed while they jjossessed him ; that 
nothing so rejoiced his heart, during the progress of the war, as the harmony 
existing between the various denominations represented in the army ; that in 
selecting his personal staiF, and in recommending men for promotion, merit 
was the sole ground, and their ecclesiastical relations were never even con- 
sidered ; that, with a charity which embraced all who held the cardinal truths 
of revelation, he ardently desired such a unity of feeling and concert of action 
among all the followers of the same Divine Leader as would constitute one 
spiritual army, glorious and invincible. 

It is refreshing too to note that, at this day, when political economists 
abandon the weaker races to the law of natural selection, and contemplate 
with complacency the process by which the dominant races extirpate the less 
capable, he sought to place the gentle but strong and sustaining hand of 
Christianity beneath the African population of the South, and so arrest the 
operation of that law by developing them, if possible, into a self-sustaining 
people. 

It is still more refreshing to note that, at this day, when scientific men 
assert such an unvarying uniformity in the operations of the laws of Nature 
as to discredit prophecy, and deny miracle, and silence prayer, that he whose 
studies had lain almost exclusively in the realm of the exact sciences, was a 
firm believer in the supernatural. Well did this humble pupil in the school 
of the Great Teacher — this diligent student in the school of physical science — 
know that true progress was not mere advance in inventions and in arts, or 
in subsidizing the forces of Nature to human uses, but that true progress was 
the progress of man himself — man, as distinct from any thing external to him- 



660 APPEXDIX. 

self. 'Well did he know that there is a celestial as well as a terrestrial side to 
man's nature, and that, although the temple of the body has its foundation in 
the dust, it is a temple covered by a dome which opens ui)ward to the air and 
the sunlight of heaven, through which the Creator discloses himself as the 
goal of the soul's aspirations — as the ultimate and imperishable good which 
satisfies its infinite desires. Those were true and brave words of the British 
premier when he said : " Society has a soul as well as a body ; the traditions 
of a nation are a part of its existence ; its valor and its discipline, its religious 
faith, its venerable laws, its science and its erudition, its poetry, its art, its 
elo(iuence and its scholarship, are as much a portion of its existence as its 
agriculture, its commeixe, and its engineering skill." 

The death of every soldier who fell in onr Confederate war is a protest 
against that base philosophy "which would make physical good man's high- 
est good, and which would attempt to rear a noble commonwealth on mere 
material foundations." Every soldier who offers his life to his country 
demonstrates the superiority of the moral to the physical, and proclaims that 
truth, and right, and honor, and liberty, are nobler than animal existence, and 
worth the sacrifice, even when blood is the offering. 

And now we recognize the providence of God in giving to this faithful 
servant the illustrious name and fame as a leader of armies which brought 
the very highest development of his character to the notice of the world. It 
was his renown as a soldier of the country which made him known to men 
as a soldier of the cross. And since nothing so captivates the public heart 
or so kindles its enthusiasm as military glory. Providence has made even 
that subservient to a higher purpose. Men cannot now think of Jackson 
without associating the prowess of the soldier with the piety of the man. 
Thus his great military reno\N'n is the golden candlestick, holding high the 
celestial light which is seen from afar and cannot be hid. 

Such was the man who was second in command in our Confederate 
armies, and whose success as a leader, during the bright, brief career allotted 
to him, was second to that of no one of his illustrious comrades in arms. 

And yet the cause to which all this valor was consecrated, and for which 
all these sacrifices were made, was not destined to triumph. And here, 
perhaps, we learn one of the most salutary lessons of this wonderful 
history. 

Doubtless all men who have ever given their labors and affections to any 
cause fervently hope to be the witnesses of its assured triumph. Nor do I 
deny that success makes the pulses of enterprise beat faster and fuller. 
Like the touch of the goddess, it transforms the still marble into breathing 
life. But yet all history, sacred and profane, is filled with illustrations of 
the truth that success, and especially contemporary success, is not the test 



ORATION BY REV. MOSES D. HOGE, D. D. 561 

of merit. Our own observation in the world in which we move proves the 
same truth. Has not popular applause ascended like incense before tyrants 
who surrendered their lives to the basest and most degrading passions? 
Have not reproach and persecution, and poverty and defeat, been the com- 
panions of noble men in all ages, who have given their toils and blood to 
great causes ? Are they less noble because they were the victims of arbi- 
trary power, or because an untoward generation would not appreciate the 
grand problems which they solved, or because they lived in a generation 
which was not worthy of them ? 

If we now call the roll of the worthies who have given to the world its 
valued treasures of thought or faith, or who have subdued Nature or de- 
veloped art, it will be found that nearly all of them were in a life-long 
grapple with defeat and disaster. Some, and among them those whose 
names shine the brightest, would have welcomed neglect as a boon, but 
instead, endured shame and martyrdom. 

Other things being equal, the tribute of our admiration is more due to 
him who, in spite of disaster, pursues the cause which he has espoused, than 
to one who requires the stimulus of the applause of an admiring public. 
We are sure of a worthy object when we give our plaudits to the earnest 
soul who has followed his convictions in the midst of peril and disaster 
because of his faith in them. 

It is well that even every honest effort in the cause of right and truth 
is not always crowned with success. Defeat is the discipline which trains 
the truly heroic soul to further and better endeavors. And if these last 
should fail, and he can do battle no more, he can lay down his armor with 
the assurance that others will put it on, and in God's good time vindicate 
the truth in whose behalf he had not vainly spent his life. 

Our people since the termination of the war have illustrated the lessons 
learned in the school of adversity. Having vindicated their valor and en- 
durance during the conflict, they have since exhibited their patience and 
self-control under the most trying circumstances. Their dignity in the midst 
of poverty and reverses, their heroic resignation to what they could not 
avert, have shown that subjugation itself could not conquer true greatness 
of soul. And by none have these virtues been illustrated more impressively 
than by the veterans of the long conflict, who laid down their arms at its 
close and mingled again with their fellow-citizens, distinguished from the rest 
only by their superior reverence for law, their patient industry, their avoid- 
ance of all that might cause needless irritation and provoke new humilia- 
tions, and their readmess to regard as friends in peace, those whom they had 
so recently resisted as enemies in war. 

The tree is known by its fruits. Tour Excellency has reminded us that 

36 



562 APPENDIX. 

our civilization should be judged by the character of the men it has pro- 
duced. If our recent revolution had been irradiated by the lustre of but 
the two names — Lee and Jackson — it would still have illumined one of the 
brightest pages in history. 

I have not spoken of the former to-day ; not because my heart was not 
full of him, but because the occasion required me to speak of another, and 
because the day is not distant when one competent to do justice to his great 
theme will address another assembly of the men of the South, and North, 
and West, upon these Capitol-grounds, when our new Pantheon will be 
completed by the erection of another monument, and the inauguration of 
the statue of Lee, with his generals around him, amid the tears and gratula- 
tions of a countless multitude. 

It was with matchless magnanimity that these two great chieftains de- 
lighted each to contribute to the glory of the other. Let us not dishonor 
ourselves by robbing either of one leaf in the chaplet which adorns their 
brows ; but, catching the inspiration of their lofty example, let us thank 
God that he gave us two such names to shine as binary stars in the firma- 
ment above us. 

It was in the noontide of Jackson's glory that he fell ; but what a pall 
of darkness suddenly shrouded all the land in that hour I If any illustra- 
tion were needed of the hold he had acquired on the hearts of our people, 
on the hearts of the good and brave and true throughout all the civilized 
world, it would be found in the universal lament which went up everywhere 
when it was announced that Jackson was dead — from the little girl at the 
Chandler House, who " wished that God would let her die in his stead, be- 
cause then only her mother would cry ; but if Jackson died, all the people 
of the country would cry " — from this humble child up to the commander- 
in-chief, who wept as only the strong and brave can weep, at the tidings of 
his fall ; from the weather-beaten sea-captain, who had never seen his face, 
but who burst into loud, uncontrollable grief, standing on the deck of his 
vessel, with his rugged sailors around him wondering what had happened to 
break that heart of oak, up to the English earl, honored on both sides of 
the Atlantic, who exclaimed, when the sad news came to him, " Jackson 
was in some respects the greatest man America ever produced." 

The impressive ceremonies of the hour will bring back to some here pres- 
ent the memories of that day of sorrow, when, at the firing of a gun at the 
base of yonder monument, a procession began to move to the solemn strains of 
the " Dead March in Saul " — the hearse on which the dead hero lay, preceded 
by a portion of the command of General Tickett, whose funeral obsequies 
you have just celebrated, and followed by a mighty throng of weeping citi- 
zens, imtil, having made a detour of the city, it paused at the door of the 



OKATION BY EEV. MOSES D. HOGE, D. D. 563 

Capitol, when the body was borne within by revei-ent hands and laid on an 
altar erected beneath the dome. 

The Congress of the Confederate States had adopted a device for their 
flag, and one emblazoned with it had just been completed, which was in- 
tended to be unfurled from the roof of the Capitol. It never fluttered from 
the height it was intended to grace. It became Jackson's winding-sheet. 
Oh, mournful prophecy of the fate of the Confederacy itself ! 

The military authorities shrouded him in the white, red, and blue flag of 
the Confederacy. The citizens decked his bier with the white, red, and blue 
flowers of spring until they rose high above it, a soft, floral pyramid ; but the 
people everywhere embalmed him in their hearts with a love sweeter than all 
the fragrance of spring, and immortal as the verdure of the trees under which 
he now rests by the river of life. 

And where, in all the annals of the world's sorrow for departed worth, was 
there such a pathetic impersonation of a nation's grief as was embodied in 
the old mutilated veteran of Jackson's division, who, as the shades of even- 
ing fell, and when the hour for closing of the doors of the Capitol came, and 
when the lingering throng was warned to retire, was seen anxiously pressing 
through the crowd to take his last look at the face of his beloved leader ? 
" They told him he was too late ; that they were closing up the coffin for the 
last time ; that the order had been given to clear the hall. He still struggled 
forward, refusing to take a denial, until one of the marshals of the day was 
about to exercise his authority to force him back ; upon this the old soldier 
lifted the stump of his right arm toward the heavens, and, with tears running 
down his bearded face, exclaimed, ' By this arm, which I lost for my coun- 
try, I demand the privilege of seeing my general once more 1 ' Such an ap- 
peal was irresistible, and, at the instance of the Governor of the Common- 
wealth, the pomp was arrested until this humble comrade had also dropped 
his tear upon the face of his dead leader." 

Your Excellency did well to make the path broad which leads through 
these Capitol-grounds to this statue, for it will be trodden by the feet of all 
who visit this city, whether they come from the banks of the Hudson, the Mis- 
sissippi, or the Sacramento ; whether from the Tiber, the Rhine, or the Danube. 

Tender though they be, cold and sad are the closing lines of ColUns in 
his ode to the memory of the brave whose rest is hallowed by their country's 
benedictions, depicting as they do, Honor coming as " a pilgrun gray," and 
Freedom as a " weepmg hermit " repairing to the graves of departed heroes. 

Not so will Honor come to this shrine; not as a worn and weary pilgrim, 
but as a generous youth with burnished shield and stainless sword, and heart 
beating high in sympathy for the right and true, to lay his mail-clad hand on 
this altar and swear eternal fealty to duty and to God. 



564 APPENDIX. 

Nor will Freedom for a time only repair to this hallowed spot, but here 
she will linger long and hopefully, not as a weeping hermit, but as a radiant 
divinity, conscious of immortality. 

It is true that memories unutterably sad have at times swept through this 
mighty throng to-day, but we are not here to indulge in reminiscences only, 
much less in vain regrets. We have a future to face, and in that future lie 
not only duty and trial, perhaps, but also hope. 

For, when we ask what has become of the principles in the defense of 
which Jackson imperiled and lost his life, then I answer ; A form of govern- 
ment may change, a policy may perish, but a principle can never die. Cir- 
cumstances may so change as to make the application of the principle no 
longer possible, but its innate vitality is not aifected thereby. The condi- 
tions of society may be so altered as to make it idle to contend for a principle 
which no longer has any practical force, but these changed conditions of 
society have not annihilated one original truth. 

The application of these postulates to the present situation of our country 
is obvious. The people of the South maintained, as their fathers maintained 
before them, that certain principles were essential to the perpetuation of the 
Union according to its original Constitution. Rather than surrender their 
convictions, they took up arms to defend them. The appeal was vain. 
Defeat came, and they accepted it, with its consequences, just as they would 
have accepted victory with its fruits. They have sworn to maintain the 
government as it is now constituted. They will not attempt again to assert 
their views of State sovereignty by an appeal to the sword. None feel this 
obligation to be more binding than the soldiers of the late Confederate armies. 
A soldier's parole is a sacred thing, and the men who are willing to die for a 
principle in time of war are the men of all others most likely to maintain 
their personal honor in time of peace. 

But it is idle to shut our eyes to the fact that this consolidated empire of 
States is not the Union established by our fathers. No intelligent European 
student of American institutions is deceived by any such assumption. We 
gain nothing by deceiving ourselves. 

And if history teaches any lesson, it is this, that a nation cannot long sur- 
vive when the fundamental principles which gave it life, originally, are sub- 
verted. It is true republics have often degenerated into despotisms. It is 
also true that after such transformation they have for a time been character- 
ized by a force, a prosperity, and a glory, never known in their earlier annals, 
but it has always been a force which absorbed and obliterated the rights of 
the citizen, a prosperity which was gained by the sacrifice of individual 
independence, a glory which was ever the precursor of inevitable anarchy, 
disintegration, and ultimate extinction. 



ORATION BY EEV. MOSES D. HOGE, D. D. 565 

If, then, it be asked how -we are to escape the catastrophe, I answer, by 
a voluntary return to the fundamental prmciples upon which our republic 
was originally founded. And if it be objected that we have already entered 
upon one of those political revolutions which never go backward, then I 
ask, who gave to any one the authority to say so ? or whence comes the in- 
fallibility which entitles any one to pronounce a judgment so overwhelming ? 
Why may there not be a comprehension of what is truly politic, and what is 
grandly right, slumbering in the hearts of our American people — a people at 
once so practical and emotional, so capable of great enterprise and greater 
magnanimity — a patriotism which is yet to awake and announce itself in a 
repudiation of all unconstitutional invasion of the liberties of the citizens of 
any portion of this broad Union ? When we remember the awful strain to 
which the principles of other constitutional governments have been sub- 
jected in the excitement of revolutionary epochs, and how, when seemingly 
submerged by the tempest, they have risen again and reasserted themselves 
in their original integrity, why should we despair of seeing the ark of our 
liberties again resting on the summit of the mount, and hallowed by the 
benediction of him who said, " Behold, I do set my bow in the cloud ? " 

And now standing before this statue, and as in the living presence of the 
man it represents, cordially indorsing, as I do, the principles of the political 
school in which he was trained, and in defense of which he died, and unable 
yet even to think of our dead Confederacy without memories unutterably 
tender, I speak not for myself, but for the South, when I say it is our inter- 
est, our duty and determination to maintain the Union, and to make every 
possible contribution to its prosperity and glory, if all the States which com- 
pose it will unite in making it such a Union as our fathers framed, and in 
enthroning above it, not a Csesar, but the Constitution in its old supremacy. 

If ever these States are welded together in one great, fraternal, enduring 
Union, with one heart pulsating through the entire frame as the tides throb 
through the bosom of the sea, it will be when they all stand on the same 
level, with such a jealous regard for each other's rights that, when the inter- 
ests or honor of one is assailed, all the rest, feeling the wound, even as the 
body feels the pain inflicted on one of its members, will kindle with just 
resentment at the outrage, because an injury done to a part is not only a 
wrong but an indignity offered to the whole. But if that cannot be, then I 
trust the day will never dawn when the Southern people will add degradation 
to defeat, and hypocrisy to subjugation, by professing a love for the Union 
which denies to one of their States a single right accorded to Massachusetts 
or New York — to such a Union we will never be heartily loyal while that 
bronze hand grasps its sword — while yonder river chants the requiem of the 
sixteen thousand Confederate dead who, with Stuart among them, sleep on 
the hills of Hollywood. 



5G6 APPENDIX. 

But I will not end my oration with an anticipation so disheartening. I 
cannot so end it, because I look forward to the future with more of hope 
than of despondency. I believe in the perpetuity of republican institutions, 
80 far as any work of man may be said to possess that attribute. The com- 
plete emancipation of our constitutional liberty must come from other quar- 
ters, but we have our part to perform, one requiring patience, prudence, forti- 
tude, faith. 

A cloud of witnesses encompass us. The bronze figures on these monu- 
ments seem for the moment to be replaced by the spirits of the immortal 
men whose names they bear. 

As if an angel spoke, their tones thrill our hearts. 

First, it is the calm voice of Washington that we hear: " Of all the dis- 
positions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality 
are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of 
patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happi- 
ness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens." 

Then Henry's clarion notes arouse us: "Liberty! the greatest of all earthly 
blessings — give us that precious jewel, and you may take all the rest ! " 

Then Jefferson speaks : " Fellow-citizens, it is proper you should under- 
stand what I deem the essential principles of government. Equal and exact 
justice to all men of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. 
The support of State governments in all their rights as the surest bulwarks 
against anti-republican tendencies ; the preservation of the General Govern- 
ment in its whole constitutional vigor as the sheet-anchor of our peace at 
home and safety abroad ; the supremacy of the civil over military authority ; 
the honest payment of our debts, and sacred preservation of the public 
faith. And should we wander from these principles in moments of error and 
alarm, let us hasten to retrace our steps, and to regain the road which alone 
leads to peace, liberty, and safety." 

And, last, it is Jackson's clear, ringing tone to which we listen : 

" What is life without honor ? Degradation is worse than death. We 
must think of the living and of those who are to come after us, and see that 
by God's blessing we transmit to them the freedom we have enjoyed." 

Heaven ! hear the prayer of our dead, immortal hero ! 

UNVEILING THE STATUE. 

When Dr. Hoge had nearly completed his address, Major Snow- 
den Andrews adjusted the halyards attached to the canvas which 
covered the statue and made other preparations for the unveiling. 

A few momentB later General R. Lindsay Walker took a position 
on the east side of the statue, Samuel R. Green on the west, and 



UNVEILING THE STATUE. 567 

Major Andrews in front. The canvas was so arranged witli blocks 
and tackle that the moment the two halyards were hauled in on each 
side the veil would be opened in the centre and fall easily away from 
the bronze. 

Many persons saw these preliminary arrangements. In a twin- 
kling almost it spread like wild-fire, and every one was in a state of 
the most intense and enthusiastic excitement. Another moment 
only were they held in suspense. Dr. Hoge's address was then at an 
end, the halyards were hauled in, the great canvas swayed to and 
fro, and then the strong southerly wind filling the veil it was lifted 
away as if by magic, and amid the cheers of the brave soldiers who 
followed the great warrior to so many victories they beheld in bronze 
his noble face and form ! 

No words can describe the scene of that moment, and it never 
will be forgotten. 

As soon as the statue was unveiled an infantry salute was fired 
by each company, and the artillery taking it up a salvo was fired 
alternately from the guns near the Tenth Street gate and from those 
immediately in rear of the Capitol. The firing added considerably 
to the grand occasion, and seemed to remind the old soldiers of 
Confederate times. 

The salute having been fired, the members of the Gesangverein 
Virginia, Eichmond Philharmonic Association, and other singers, 
took position on the right of the stand and sang with fine efiect Lu- 
ther's anthem specially selected for the occasion, and translated from 
the German by Mr. Seigel, " A Castle of Strength is our Lord : " 

God is a castle and defense, 

When troubles and distress invade 
He'll keep and free us from offense, 

And even shield us with his aid. 
Our ancient enemy earnest is in mind, 

His strength he now prepares 
With might and subtlety, 

On earth, is none so strong as he. 

Our returned strength will not avail 

Against the power of Satan, 
But our deliverer we hail. 

Commissioned by the Father ; 



568 APPENDIX. 

And you ask his name ? 

His name is Jesus Christ, 
The Lord of Sabaoth ! 

There is no other God. He shall be crowned with victory. 

Though Satan's legions crowd our path, 

And to devour us clamor, 
We will not fear their fiercest wrath. 

And still deny their glamour. 
The tyrant of this world, who strives us to destroy, 

Henceforth is powerless ; 
Now, by a single word. 
He downward with might shall be hurled. 

The musical director was IVIr, Charles L. Seigel, of the Gesang- 
verein Virginia. The following bands took part in the orchestral 
accompaniment : Volker's band, Richmond, Virginia, L. Volker lead- 
er; New Hampshire receiving-ship band, M. L. Schultz leader; Vir- 
ginia Military Institute band, J. C. Ritterhaus leader. 

The singing being over, the regiment, cadets, and visiting volun- 
teer organizations and societies, were marched out of the grounds, 
and the ceremonies, at three o'clock, were brought to a close. 

At the conclusion of the ceremonies Governor Kemper, taking 
General Jackson's daughter, a sweet-looking girl of thirteen, by the 
hand, led her to the front of the platform, where she was introduced 
to the survivors of the old brigade. They raised their hats in re- 
spect and greeted her with cheers. 

The sentinels had cleared away the crowd in rear of the platform 
and opened a pathway to the statue ; Governor Kemper and others 
escorted Miss Julia Jackson to the statue, and she was among the 
first to deposit floral offerings upon the pedestal. 

After Mrs. Jackson returned to her carriage, nearly every member 
of the Stonewall Brigade went up and spoke to her, many of them 
shedding tears as they did so. 

General Harry Heth, acting chief-marshal of the ceremony, ap- 
pointed the following-named gentlemen the Committee on Decora- 
tions : John A. Elder, W. A. Sheppard, R. T. Daniel, Jr., E. J. Fish- 
er, William Caskie, and Charles L. Seigel, and invited the K. K. K. 
(Konservative Kampaign Klub) to cooperate with this committee 
in perfecting their designs. They cordially responded, and rendered 



TJNVEILING THE STATUE. 569 

most essential aid; indeed, within the short time allowed for the 
work it would have been impossible to have perfected the decora- 
tions and designs had it not been for their indefatigable exertions. 

The materials for decoration were collected and brought to the 
Monumental Hotel (which was then vacant), and the ladies and 
young men of the city invited through the public press to assemble 
there for the purpose of manufacturing them into pennants, flags, 
wreaths, rosettes, garlands, etc. The promptness with which they 
answered the call furnishes a beautiful testimony of the general love 
and reverence which all bear to the hero of Virginia and the defend- 
er of Richmond ; a lovely and busy scene of amiable emulation in 
doing this labor for four days, and not infrequently including work 
till midnight. The principal points of decoration were as follows: 

At the intersection of Main and Fifth Streets was a tasteful struct- 
ure resplendent with flags, pennants, evergreens, and appropriate 
designs. Its erection was under the direct supervision of Messrs. R. 
T. Daniel, Jr., and Charles L. Seigel. It was sixty-five feet high, and 
composed of two poles wreathed in green, and sustained by four 
guy-ropes decorated with British streamers, having upon them em- 
blems of the four dominions — England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. 
On the pinnacle of the decorations were two large and pretty bou- 
quets ; just below these and on each pole, facing east, were two swal- 
low-tailed pennants — one with red ground and white border, having 
a large letter " B " (Britain) in the centre ; the other, white ground 
and red border, with the letter " V " (Virginia). Twenty-five feet 
from the ground, facing east, was a transverse inscription in large 
letters, " British Tribute to Virginia Valor." Adverse to this, on the 
west side, was the inscription associating the following modern 
heroes : " Wellington, Havelock, Cardigan, Jaclcson." Hanging from 
these inscriptions were wreaths sustaining an arch of greenery. 
Twenty feet from the ground, on the east side of the poles, were two 
medallions, one of the Virginia coat-of-arms, the other of Beresford- 
Hope, he being the exponent of our generous British cousins. On 
the adverse side to these were two other medallions, the one of the 
British coat-of-arms, bearing the lion and the unicorn rampant, the 
other the colonial coat-of-arms of the Old Dominion, bearing the 
time-honored inscription "^w dat Virginia quartam." Springing 
obliquely from these were on the one side a flag, white ground, bear- 
ing the Scottish thistle ; on the other side a flag, blue ground, bear- 



5T0 APPENDIX. 

ing the white feathers of "Wales, with a scroll, upon which is the 
motto '■'■ Ich dien.''^ Springing from the opposite shield was the 
English Union Jack, and the Irish banner, green ground, with the 
gold harp of Erin upon it. The whole was admirably designed and 
arranged. 

The Grand Arch, at Grace and Eighth Streets, in its construction, 
was under the supervision of Messrs. Elder, Fisher, Sheppard, and 
Caskie. It was an admirable design, and was constructed after the 
style of the old Norman gate-way. It was thirty-two feet high and 
sixteen wide. It was constructed with two turreted towers covered 
with evergreen, with an arch connecting them. On the west side of 
the arch was inscribed in large letters "Warrior, Christian, Patriot." 
Just above this was a painting representing a stone-wall, upon which 
was resting a bare sabre, a Bible, and a Confederate cap, with the 
augel of peace ascending, pointing heavenward ; and on the pinna- 
cle of the arch, just above tliis, was a pennant bearing the cross, as 
the emblem of Christianity. This picture, with the emblem above, 
was a beautiful design figurative of the blissful rest w hich our de- 
parted hero has long since enjoyed. Springing obliquely from either 
side of the picture were the colors of Virginia and England. Mid- 
way of the towers were the jjictures of Jackson and Foley bordered 
round with flowers. On the adverse side (east) were the United States 
coat-of-arms and the English coat-of-arms. On the same side, and 
just around the arch, appeared in large letters " STONEWALii Jack- 
son." Above this the coat-of-arms of Virginia, with flags of Virginia 
and England on either side. Two banners floated from the towers — 
one, white ground with red cross ; the other with red ground with 
Maltese cross. The most decided effect in any of the decorations 
was produced by the placing of two Confedera,te soldiers, dressed 
in their genuine, old, tattered Confederate garments, upon two 
pedestals just in front of each tower. They leaned upon reversed 
muskets, and were as immovable as statues ; indeed^ many i^ersons 
could not believe that they were living individuals. 

At the head of Franklin Street was an archway composed of two 
poles with festoons of evergreen, banners, flags, and other decora- 
tions. 

The speakers' stand, erected on the west side of the statue, was 
tliirty-five by twenty feet, and five feet high. There were Roman 
spears at the four corners leaning at an angle of forty-five degrees 



tTNVEILING THE STATUE. 571 

and garlanded with evergreens. These sustained a conical-shaped 
canopy with centre-pole thirty feet high, which bore a pennant six 
feet long, with the letter " V " upon it. The stand was beautifully 
decorated with garlands. 

Across the avenue to the Executive mansion was suspended a 
huge royal British standard, the dimensions being twenty by thirty 
feet. 

The Washington Monument was also very prettily festooned with 
evergreens. 

The decoration and arch at the Grace Street gate of the square 
was intended to be commemorative of Jackson's whole military ca- 
reer, commencing in Mexico in 1846, and ending at his last battle 
(Chancellorsville), in 1863. Inscriptions to this eflFect were upon the 
escutcheons right and left of the gate respectively, facing u}) Grace 
Street. On the reverse of the escutcheons were the inscriptions 
Virtus and Fortitudo — embodying, in the pmrely military sense, the 
perfection of the soldier's character. The crest of the arch was deco- 
rated with bayonets ; the face of the key-stone with crossed sabres and 
the letter "J;" the summit with a trophy of arms — helmet, corse- 
let, mantle — draped from sword-points, which extend from the arm- 
holes of the corselet, and a legionary standard with the inscription 
" Gloria," as the culmination of the military career. This, which 
may be called the military arch, was intended to be symbolical of 
the profession of arms, pure and simple, as associated with Jack- 
son's mortal career. The decoration on Grace and Ninth Streets is 
fuller in its significance, as it alludes to his Christian virtues as well 
as his military fame. The decoration at Main and Fifth Streets is 
more particularly a recognition of the homage paid to our hero by 
the citizens of Great Britain. 

It is hard for the public to realize the amount of labor which had 
to be expended on these decorations. Almost every thing was manu- 
factured here. In large cities every appliance of decorative art is 
at hand or can be procured. Here we have the disadvantage of the 
lack of such appliances as well as insufficient funds. But it has 
been a labor of love, and every ragged urchin who may have handed 
an evergreen or held a ladder will live to be proud of his mite of 
help. 

The artists who were engaged in this work desire us to tender 
their grateful acknowledgments to the ladies, the indefatigable K. 



5 72 APPENDIX. 

K. K., and every artisan who lent a hand in preparing for the pa- 
geant, for their enthusiastic cooperation. 

As an item of interest to all who took part in the inaugural cere- 
monies, and especially to the members of the Stonewall Brigade, it 
may be stated that the several regiments were represented as follows : 

Second Virginia, Colonel J. Q. A. Nadenbouch commanding, 
seventy men; Fourth Virginia, Captain H. D. Wade commanding, 
about three hundred men ; Fifth Virginia, Lieutenant-Colonel H, D. 
WUliams commanding, one hundred and seventy men ; Twenty-sev- 
enth Virginia, Captain Persinger commanding, ten men; Thirty- 
third Virginia, Captain Hure commanding, five men. 

The Fourth Virginia was largely represented because, during the 
battle of Spottsylvania Court-House, a large number were taken 
prisoners, and in this way they escaped many of the terrible strug- 
gles through which the others passed. 



THE SPIRIT OF THE PRESS. 

The " Associated Press " dispatch was as follows : 

EiOHMONB, ViEQiNiA, Octohev 26, 1875. 

This day has been made memorable in the annals of Richmond, and lent 
additional lustre to the proud name of Virginia by the tribute of its people to 
the memory of its gallant warrior, patriot, and Christian soldier. General T 
J. (Stonewall) Jackson, on the occasion of the formal inauguration of the 
statue by Foley, presented to Virginia by a number of English gentlemen. 
The imposing pageant and interesting ceremonies combined to make the 
grandest demonstration ever witnessed in this city. The attractions of the 
State Fair and this extraordinary event have brought together people from 
every direction within the borders of the State, as well as from sympathizing 
communities beyond. This fact was evidenced on all sides by the crowded 
condition of the streets, the holiday appearance of the city, the many thou- 
sands of spectators along the line of march, and the general enthusiasm that 
prevailed. Decorations of every description were to be seen in every direc- 
tion, embracing evergreens in every conceivable shape, festoonings of the na- 
tional colors with appropriate inscriptions, banners and flags of many nations, 
the Federal and English colors predominating. 

At an early hour the principal streets began to present an animated ap- 
pearance, the crowds gathering steadily until the procession moved, by which 
time the sidewalks along the route of march were crowded with surging mass- 
es, and every available place, where a view could be had, filled with eager 
spectators. The procession occupied one hour and a half passing a given 
point, moving rapidly, and was composed of all the city military, infantry and 
artillery, visiting companies from Norfolk, Petersburg, Charlottesville, Staun- 
ton, Williamsburg, and North Carolina, the corps of cadets of the Virginia 
Military Institute, with their battery, the cadets of the Agricultural and Me- 
chanical College at Blocksburg, Virginia, surviving members of many com- 
mands of the late war, including those of the famous Stonewall Brigade, the 
Catholic societies of Richmond, the students of Richmond College, singing 
societies, etc., besides a long cortege of carriages and other vehicles contain- 



574 APPENDIX. 

ing many distinguished individuals. General Joseph E. Johnston was chief- 
marshal, and General Harry Heth his principal assistant. 

The oration of Dr. Hoge was frequently interrupted by enthusiastic ap- 
plause, and, as the last words of the orator died away, the veiUng of the monu- 
ment was suddenly withdrawn, and, amid the thundering cheers of the multi- 
tude, the firing of musketry, and the booming of cannon, the bronze figure of 
Jackson greeted the gaze of the assembled thousands. 

At this point General Page, of Norfolk, introduced to the crowd General 
Jackson's only child, a little girl of thirteen, who was received with deafening 
and continued cheers. 

The ceremonies were concluded by the singing of Luther's grand anthem, 
"A Castle of Strength is our Lord." 

The city to-night is brilliantly illuminated, and a gorgeous display of fire- 
works on the Capitol Square. 

From General D. H. Hill's account in his paper, the Southern 

Home : 

Fifty thousand visitors from all parts of the land, came up to Richmond, 
Va., on Tuesday, the 26th of October, 1875, to do honor to the memory of the 
most beloved and most successful of Confederate commanders. The vast 
assemblage was composed of the bravest men and noblest women of the 
South, who had come to pay their tribute of admiration, not only to the 
prowess, the success, and the military genius, of the illustrious hero, but also 
to his singleness of purpose, his devotion to duty, his purity of character, his 
unselfish aspirations, and his consecration to God. If we take into considera- 
tion the patriotism, the heroism, the culture, the refinement, the moral worth, 
and the intelligence, of the immense multitude gathered together in Richmond 
on that glorious 26th of October, there never has been such a collection of 
people in America before that day, and it is not probable that there will 
ever be such another. It is meet and proper that this statue, presented by 
noble English gentlemen to the grand old Commonwealth of Virginia, should 
be unveiled in its ancient and honored capital, to defend which, Jackson and 
his soldiers battled against the world in arms. It was a mournful but still a 
gala day for " the mother of States and statesmen," yea, and of grand heroes 
and noble-hearted women also. In every city, town, village, hamlet, and 
country farm-house of the South, the same story may be heard : " I lay 

wounded on the battle-field at , or in the hospital of , where I would 

have died but for the tender nursing of a Virginia matron or a Virginia girl." 
Grateful hearts from all parts of the stricken South send up prayers to Al- 
mighty God for blessings upon the generous people who extended boundless 
hospitality to our soldiers, and gave the teuderest care and sympathy to our 



THE SPIEIT OF THE PRESS. 575 

sufferers during the gloom and horrors of war. The visitors, then, who came 
from other States were no strangers in Richmond, but were those whose 
hearts were full of gratitude and eyes were wet with tears at the recollec- 
tions of kindnesses received during the horrors of the mighty contest for con- 
stitutional freedom. 

With exquisite taste, the chief-marshal, selected for the grand occasion, 
was the first commander of the war-worn veterans there assembled, the 
senior surviving officer of the Confederate forces, the greatest of living sol- 
diers. All knew and all loved Joseph E. Johnston, and his presence every- 
where awakened the old enthusiasm and evoked the old admiring cheers. 
His person was as erect, his eye as piercing, and his bearing as warlike, as 
when he rallied our staggering columns on the 21st of July, 1861. Nature cast 
him in an heroic mould, and his countenance, his figure, his every action pro- 
nounce him a soldier ; and the old rebels — those shrewdest observers — have 
always recognized him as a " leader of men." The procession under such a 
commander was one of the grandest ever witnessed in the world's history. 
The battle-scarred veterans of the old Stonewall Brigade, with their soiled, 
buHet-tom banners, were the central objects of interest to the tens of thou- 
sands on the sidewalks, in the doors and windows, and on the housetops, watch- 
ing the imposing pageant with solemn faces and subdued feeling, as though 
looking on at the funeral of the nation that died in 1865. With that old hero. 
General Early, at their head, were the shattered fragments of that grand old 
army that battled successfully for four years against twenty States of the 
North and all the nationalities of Europe. There were representatives there, 
too, of the most unselfish of men, the Confederate naval officers, who gave up 
" a life on the ocean-wave," to be cooped up in harbors and rivers ; who gave 
up rank, pay, and position, to cast in their lot with their own people, knowing 
certainly that there would be no future for them if the struggle for right 
should be overcome by might. 

But we will not go into the particulars of the procession and its move- 
ments ; the extracts below from the Richmond papers will explain every thmg. 
As Carolinians, we say it with sadness, that such a pageant outside of Vir- 
ginia is impossible. She alone fosters and develops her sons, and makes 
them great and good by her tender care and nurture. She alone does jus- 
tice to the high qualities of her children, and they manifest high qualities 
because they know that the loving eye of the dear old mother is always 
upon them. North Carolina gave birth to Presidents Jackson, Polk, and 
Johnson, but they became illustrious in another State, and would never have 
become so in their own. 

All along the streets through which the procession passed, the houses 
were garlanded and festooned with flowers and evergreens ; flags and stream- 



576 APPENDIX. 

ers were floating gracefully in the air ; portraits of the dead hero adorned 
hundreds of doors and windows ; mottoes taken from his war-orders, his 
letters, and his speeches, also met the eye in many places. The sober, sad 
faces of the immense multitudes on the sidewalks, and in the doors and 
windows, were in unison with the mournful memories evoked by the occa- 
sion. Nature herself seemed to be in mourning for the dead hero and the 
dead nation. The day was exquisitely balmly and lovely, but mellowed with 
the softened light of the dying year. The trees were gorgeous with autumn 
glory, but all spoke eloquently of decay and death. The battle-torn banners 
in the procession were conquered banners. The new, bright flags that 
looked so gay and beautiful were the flags of the conqueror. Those 
maimed and mutilated soldiers, those war-worn veterans, were paroled pris- 
oners. Those in tasteful uniforms were subjects of the conqueror. The 
flag that floats over the Capitol-grounds is the flag of the conqueror. The 
conquered banner is wrapped around the dead hero's body in the dead hero's 
grave. It was good, then, that the mournful and impressive ceremonies did 
not take place in the joyous spring-time, but in the sad days of autumn^ 
when fading sunlight and withering vegetation seemed in sympathy with 
the memories of the stricken soldiers of the great commander. The winds 
sighing through the stripped tree-tops seemed to sing a requiem to the " Lost 
Cause," and the dead leaves falling on the base of the pedestal seemed to be 
Nature's tribute to the lost hero. . . . 

After the immense multitude had taken position around the stand, an 
impressive prayer was offered by Bishop D. S. Doggett, of the Methodist 
EpiscQpal Church, South. The soldier-governor of Virginia, General James 
L. Kemper, delivered one of his very happiest and most eloquent addresses, 
ending by introducing the orator of the day, Kev. Moses D. Hoge, D. D., of 
the Presbyterian church. Dr. Hoge made the mighty effort of his life. He 
was inspired by the grandeur of the occasion, by the vastness of the au- 
dience, and above all by the greatness of the subject of his eulogy. He 
impressed all who heard him that he is the most eloquent orator now on 
this continent. Carried away by the enthusiasm caused by the mighty 
surroundings. Dr. Hoge made his most eloquent utterances extemporaneous- 
ly, and they do not appear in his published speech. He paid a most glow- 
ing tribute to General Joseph E. Johnston, the greatest of living soldiers, 
whose singular fortune it was always to encounter vastly superior forces, and 
therefore to be always retreating, but his retreats gave no confidence to his 
enemies, and demoralized not one whit his own devoted followers. The 
chder that greeted this outburst of Dr. Hoge was as hearty and spontaneous 
from the tens of thousands of listening soldiers as from the eloquent orator 
himself. General Johnston was much affected by this honest tribute of 



i 



THE SPIRIT OF THE PKES8. 677 



love, confidence and admiration, and came forward and bowed his acknowl- 
edgments. 

There was one noticeable and most gratifying feature connected with the 
grand and imposing ceremonies. There was not a drunlien or disorderly man 
among the seventy-five or one hundred thousand present on the great occa- 
sion. There was not a rude or unmannerly thing done. Every thing was 
conducted with decorum, propriety, and solemnity. There was not an un- 
seemly occurrence to be remembered afterward with regret. Nowhere out 
of Virginia can there be such a pageant with such gracious and decorous sur- 
roundings. 

m From an editorial in the Bichmond Enquirer of October 26, 1875 : 

.... Such are the lessons we learn from the inspiring examples of those 
great teachers and guides for all time — formed in the same mould and fashioned 
after the same Godlike pattern — Washington, Lee, and Jackson. Of these, 
Jackson, whose memory we honor to-day, is a true type of the undying sol- 
dier, whose fame for deeds of war and high emprise shall outlast the records 
of the nation itself, and go resounding down the corridors of time while the 
history of our race shall be remembered. 

This is no idle fancy. When the star of this young soldier of the West 
first burst upon the world in all the splendor of a noonday sun, men in every 
quarter of the globe started up in wonder and surprise, quick to accept the 
sign, and prompt to declare him the hero of our age, the genius of the cen- 
tury ; and when, after flashing with all the brilHancy and variegated hues of 
the aurora over the Northern Hemisphere, and reaching the zenith, it was sud- 
denly quenched in darkness, leaving us in gloom and despondency, all the 
world wondered at the mysterious designs of that Providence whose ways are 
past finding out, as they mourned the untimely cutting down of one who had 
in so short a time exhibited more of the true qualities of the great soldier 
than the world had witnessed since the star of Napoleon faded forever from 
our eyes on the fated field of Waterloo. The world, and we mean by that 
the great mass of the people, is seldom wrong in its estimate of a man, and 
especially when that estimate is reached by spontaneous intuition. The 
people do not err in their conclusions, no matter what the process by which 
they reach them. They may not give you a reason for the faith that is in 
them, and perhaps cannot explain to you the marks by which they recognize 
genius ; but they do recognize it, and with that unerring instinct by which 
man knows his master man whenever and wherever he meets with him. It 
was this prompt, unanimous, and spontaneous recognition of Stonewall Jack- 
son the moment his name came to the front, that at once proved the genius 
of the man. The circumstances of the times were all favorable to his exalta- 
37 



578 APPENDIX. 

tion, and the opportunities oflfered were just such as genius would grasp and 
bend to its purposes ; and no man ever made more of the slender means at 
his disposal or improved his time better than he did the moment he was left 
free to act upon his own responsibility. That was the time he had waited 
for, and, though long delayed, when his hour struck he was ready for his 
destiny. From the day at Manassas when he "stood like a stone-wall," 
blocking up retreat and staying panic by his example, the eyes of the think- 
ing men of the country were upon him ; and therefore, when he burst upon 
the world in all the effulgence of his glorious campaign in the Valley, we were 
already prepared to hail him as the hero of the war ; the only man who, up 
to that time, had exhibited preeminent soldiership. From this day forth to 
the hour of his sad fate, when he fell in the very arms of victory at Chancd- 
lorsville, the public voice only knew Jackson, all tongues sounded his praise, 
his name was the sjTionym of victory, and all who hoped for the success of 
the cause found a new rock upon which to build their faith. Never defeated 
or outmanoeuvred on a single field, but always victorious, regardless of the 
numbers against him, or the position of the enemy, always knowing the most 
assailable points of his antagonist, and gver ready to strike, he has been 
likened, in the sudden and irresistible force of his assaults and their persist- 
ence, to the violence of the hurricane, the destructive sweep of a Western 
tornado, and the fierceness of the tiger for his prey ; while in his attack on 
Howard's camp at Chancellorsville, his last and most brilliant achievement, 
we have the testimony of a Federal general to the sudden and desperate char- 
acter of the surprise, which can only be compared to one of those terrible 
prairie-fires in the West so vividly described by writers of American fiction. 
It was said of the charge of Balaklava, " This is splendid, but it is not war." 
Jackson's flank movements and charges were the very perfection of artistic 
war, and there could be nothing to equal them in splendor. An intuitive 
knowledge of his enemy's position, and a quickness of movement unknown 
almost to warfare for its celerity, and the force of its momentum, were the 
secrets of his success. To know exactly where the enemy was, and then to 
strike him, and continue to strike him, while he had any power left, was the 
way he worked out the problem of war ; and it is the true way. His soldiers 
knew this, and liked their general all the better. He did not keep them long 
in doubt, or in the agony of suspense. They were not required to stand mo- 
tionless in line and patiently receive the fire of the enemy's batteries at long 
range, but the moment they came on the field they were at work, and when 
the firing ceased the work was done. With Jackson, to think was to act, and 
to will was to accomplish ; and no man who ever lived in this country had a 
more powerful will of his own. It was, indeed, almost mesmeric, and the 
strongest wills among those about him went down crushed as before a supe- 



THE SPIEIT OF THE PRESS. 579 

rior power. To all around him, too, he had the peculiar faculty of imparting 
a part of his own indomitable and invincible force ; and when he sent ofif an 
aide to execute his orders, that aide was not only the bearer of the order, but 
also of a portion of Jackson's strength of character and determination of 
soul which he imparted to the lieutenant with the orders of his chief. In 
brief, Stonewall Jackson was the great soldier of our age ; and, no matter 
what other names may be blotted from the record by time or be forgotten, 
his will not die. His fame will survive the war of elements, " the wreck of 
matter, and the crush of worlds," and shall only pale when the stars grow dim 
with age and fade from the everlasting firmament of heaven. 

It is meet, then, that we should do all honor on this occasion to the 
memory of one who has lent so much lustre to the American name, and 
added so greatly to the renown of Virginia. Let nothing be left undone 
to-day that may add to the grandeur, the pride, pomp, and circumstance of 
the great event. But amid the roar of cannon, the clamor of trumpets, the 
waving of plumes, the gleaming of bayonets, the flashing of banners in the 
bright sunlight, let the pageant be worthy of him who combined in himself 
all the qualities of the Christian gentleman and the true soldier, and in whom 
the spirit of war found its most perfect incarnation. 

From the Southern Churchman : 

The unveiling of the statue of General Jackson in Richmond, last week, 
drew together an enormous crowd. We undertake to say it was not the 
military genius of Jackson that created such enthusiasm. There was a moral 
power in Ijiis Presbyterian elder that outshadows all else ; and that our peo- 
ple should regard this as the first element in human greatness is something 
to be thankful for. As long as that mute statue of the great commander 
stands in the Capitol Square of Richmond, it will be eloquent with one ma- 
jestic idea: that duty to Christ and our fellow-men, to be done at any per- 
sonal cost, is the grandest feeling that can take possession of any human 
being. So let it speak ; and it will not be in vain that Jackson lived." 

From the Central Presbyterian : 

October 26, 1875, will be a day much to be remembered m the annals 
of Richmond, and of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Such an immense as- 
sembly of her people as gathered around the statue of Jackson was never 
before seen in all her borders, and will be seen in this generation only once 
again, when there shall come another outpouring to do honor in like manner 
to his illustrious compeer and chieftain, Robert E. Lee. 

We have referred to the vast concourse of people at this inauguration ; 
and one thing belonging to it is most noteworthy — the complete good order 



580 APPENDIX. 

and sobriety of conduct preserved throughout. The number of persons as- 
sembled in and around the Capitol Square is variously estimated between 
thirty and fifty thousand ; yet the behavior was almost like that of a congre- 
gation of worshipers in the sanctuary. A distinguished English gentleman, 
remarking upon this feature of the scene, said that it was unlike any thing 
he had ever witnessed in his life. This simple fact indicates at once the char- 
acter of the multitude assembled together, and the depth and solemnity of 
those feelings by which they were moved. 

The address of Dr. Hoge is by universal consent completely up to the 
demands of this great occasion. In the propriety and excellence of its whole 
conception, and in the singular chasteness and beauty of its expression, there 
is nothing wanting to gratify the feelings of our people. That it should r». 
fer, in some of their aspects, to questions which have convulsed the whole 
land, was unavoidable. These are not made unduly prominent, and are ju- 
diciously presented. It may be proper also to remark that the tone and 
sentiments found in this address are those held from the Susquehanna to the 
Rio Grande, by every Southern man, woman, and child, in whose bosom 
throbs a true Southern heart. If upon that basis any true, or even tolerable 
conciliation can be established between sections widely estranged both in fact 
and in feeling, the Lord grant it ; if not, the Lord forbid it ; and in his merci- 
ful kindness increase our alienation tenfold, and keep it so forever ! And 
" if that be treason, make the most of it." 

But it was not because of any political bearings of this address that it 
was published in the Central Presbyterian, or that we now speak of it. It 
was on account of the great moral lessons it presents, especially to the young 
men of our land. We hope that select passages will be embodied speedily in 
the text-books of our common schools, and that so the earliest conceptions 
of our children may be imbued with these exalted truths, and their characters 
moulded after such noble patterns. Virginia is rich in the lives of her great 
men, and " their sepulchres are with us to this day." The highest lesson 
from the life of Jackson, and of Lee also, is that the crown of their greatness 
was in their goodness; their unselfish, supreme devotion to duty; their 
fidelity to all trusts ; their nobility of soul ; their true-hearted Christian piety. 
A divine " gentleness " made them great. Without it they never could have 
become so sacredly and completely inshrined iu the hearts of their country- 
men. It was their sublime faith, added to other virtues, which made their 
names such a tower of strength in the mighty conflict in which they were 
engaged, and which has won for them immortal honor. This is the great 
truth now uttered from the grave of General Jackson, and of which this statue 
is a perpetual memorial. 

Of a like and equal purport was the life of Jackson's great and admired 



THE SPIKIT OF THE PKESS. 581 

chieftain. " Kemeinber, my son," said General Lee, " that duty is the sub- 
limest word in the language." In the first private conversation held with 
him after his election as President of Washington College (among whose 
trustees the writer of this has the honor to be numbered) he said, with a 
manner and emphasis we can never forget : " It has seemed the will of Provi- 
dence that we should be defeated in the great object for which we fought. What 
chiefly remains for us now is to do every thing in our power to inculcate right 
sentiments among our people ; to keep up and elevate their moral and intel- 
lectual tone. If that is done, they may he impoverished and depressed, but 
can never he degraded ; and will he sure to gain in the endJ'^ 

These words of wisdom were so deeply engraven upon our memory at 
the time, and have been so often repeated, that they are now accurately 
given. They are worthy, like the author, to be had " in everlasting remem- 
brance." To aid in this let another statue be soon provided in our Capitol 
Square, " whither the tribes may go up." Lee and Jackson " were lovely 
and pleasant in their lives ; " let them in these memorials stand not far 
divided. The moral impression of such a transaction as was witnessed on 
the 26th of October was worth more than words could express. As far as 
in us lies, let it be perpetuated. 

From the Norfolh Virginian : 

Never before in this country or in any country was such a tribute paid 
to worth and virtue as this offering from the British Islands to a defeated 
leader of a wasted State. Never in all times did any race of mankind clasp 
hands across an ocean and bow together in reverence before a monument, 
raised not by wealth and power, nor dedicated to success and mastery, but 
raised by the free-will of generous sympathy, and dedicated to a genius that 
triumphed in disaster, and a virtue that rose superior to fortune to be forever 
famous in defeat. Columns of Trajan and of Bonaparte, arches of triumph 
and temples of victory have risen ere now to tell through molten bronze 
and sculptured marble the same ghastly tale that grins from the pyramid of 
skulls built by the Tartar khan or the Dahomey butcher. 

Stately piles like Blenheim, fair demesnes like Strathfieldsaye, have re- 
warded by tax-wrung millions the labors of conquerors, or expressed the 
gratitude of nations to their own leaders. 

But this statue is of no conqueror, the gift of no vanity nor even grati- 
tude, the memorial of no gain won by the sword. It comes from our race 
in the Old World, to claim here in the New a part in our just pride, in the 
simple virtue and the steadfast heart that makes Stonewall Jackson a name. 
England and Wales, Ireland and Scotland, and the lesser isles that ring them 
round the land of our forefathers, send to us, their kinsmen, of Virginia, this 



582 APPENDIX. 

monument to stand by that of Washington, in token that our Jackson, too, is 
counted in that shining roll where Hampden's name is found, and Nelson's, 
Falkland's, and Havelock's, Sidney's, and the Bruce, and a great company 
besides, famous by land and sea. 

Their blood is ours, and A''irginia claims her kindred, whether they 
sleep in the gorgeous abbey or the quiet church-yard, or beneath the shift- 
ing waves. Now England comes to claim kindred with our countryman who 
lies " at Lexington, in the Valley of Virginia," and to offer to his memory a 
tribute which honors her while it proclaims honor to him. 

From the New York Tribune : 

It was not strange that the unveiling of the bronze statue of Stonewall 
Jackson at Richmond, Va., yesterday, was celebrated with so much pomp 
and ceremony, or that the occasion brought together in the Virginia capital 
the largest and most enthusiastic concourse of citizens of the South that has 
been gathered in any Southern city since the war. In view of all the circum- 
stances, of the veneration amounting almost to idolatry in which all the peo- 
ple of the South hold the memory of Jackson ; of the universal desire to ex- 
hibit their appreciation of the generosity of the givers of the statue, and of the 
fact, too, that this was almost the first opportunity since the war for a reunion 
with a genuine and definite purpose of the scattered armies of the Confeder- 
acy, it would have been strange indeed had the occasion been wanting in any 
of the elements which characterized it. Next to Lee, and perhaps in some 
respects more than that oSBcer, Jackson was looked upon by the Southern 
people as the great soldier of the war. With Lee he divided their affec- 
tionate admiration. No officer of all their armies commanded such implicit 
confidence by his skill, such enthusiasm by his daring, such inspiration by 
the swiftness of his combinations and the rapidity of his movements, such 
devotion by his example of heroism and self-denial. He was their hero, and 
they had an honest pride in him ; their martyr, and they reverence his mem- 
ory. And so yesterday, not forgetting for what he fought and fighting, fell, 
but remembering more than all tliat, what he was ; touched by this tribute paid 
to his greatness by men across the sea who never saw his face, conscious that 
he fought in vain, but treasuring no bitterness at the result, they gave him 
high and stately honors, and remembered him in tender and impassioned 
eulogy. 

The ceremonies, as described in our special dispatches, were grand and, 
impressive. The addresses were notably free from any thing which might 
jar upon the sensibilities or in any way violate the proprieties of such an 
occasion. We have now so far passed out from under the influence of the 
passions engendered by the war that we almost consider its figures and 



THE SPIRIT OF THE PKESS. ' 583 

events with the impartiality of history. On both sides we are coming to sep- 
arate the men of that stormy time from the events which brought them 
forth and set them in so strong a light, and we are growing into juster judg- 
ments and clearer apprehensions of their real character. We of the North 
cannot only look calmly on while Virginia and the South eulogize the heroes 
who grew great to our discomfiture, but we can unite with them in paying 
the tribute of our admiration to the rugged virtues, the obstinate sincerity, 
the manly faith, the courageous self-denial which are perpetuated in the monu- 
mental bronze unveiled at Richmond yesterday. His deeds and his sacrifices 
are in a special sense the heritage of the men with whom and for whom he 
fought, but in a larger sense his examijle as a man of sincerity, constancy, 
and fidelity to his honest though mistaken convictions, is the world's, and 
will be remembered when the cause he fought for is forgotten. 

From the New TorTc World : 

We are sure that we do not strain a point when we speak of the oration 
delivered in Richmond at the unveiling of the statue of Stonewall Jackson as 
the voice of Virginia. By no State certainly of the American Union, perhaps 
by no country in the civilized world of our day, has any citizen of that State 
or that country been so thoroughly and tenderly loved and honored and 
looked up to, as was Stonewall Jackson by the Commonwealth of Virginia. 
The singular personal qualities of the man commanded for him, indeed, even 
during his lifetime, and while the passions of the war in which he sadly and 
unwillingly won his great renown were at their height, a quite exceptional rev- 
erence and admiration from many other communities, and from people who 
neither sympathized with Virginia in the quarrel to which she sacrificed the 
lives of so many good and gallant men, nor very clearly understood what that 
quarrel was about. It will forever be held in remembrance, to the honor of 
the whole American people, that when the news of the death of Stonewall 
Jackson went through the land, the bravest and most determined opponents 
of the cause in which he fell were foremost in doing justice to the exalted 
purity and rare self-abnegation of his character. Men who could not choose 
but rejoice that so formidable an enemy had been removed out of the path- 
way of the principles for which they were themselves contending, felt their 
public joy tempered and clouded by a manly sorrow for the untimely end of 
a Christian soldier in whom the best and highest types of the race from which 
we spring had lived again and commended themselves anew to the homage 
of mankind. 

But it was as a Virginian, first, last, and always, that Stonewall Jackson 
had earned his peculiar fame. He was not a secessionist, he was not even a 
Southern man in the ordinary sense of these terms. He was simply a born 



584 APPENDIX. 

and devout believer in the vital necessity, to the liberties of his people, of pre- 
serving intact those principles of State sovereignty of which Virginia, by her 
ancient rank among American commonwealths and by the eminent share 
which she had taken, first in making the American Union possible, and then 
in establishing it, may well be pardoned for regarding herself as held and 
bound to be the fearless and uncompromising champion and defender. Hia 
political faith was the groundwork of his fame as a captain. He belongs, like 
Gustavus Adolphus, and Hampden, and Falkland, to that roll of honor, bright 
though brief, on which are inscribed the names of men who have taken the 
sword and died by the sword, not for glory nor for conquest, but for what 
they in their hearts believed to be their highest duty as men. Surely the 
time has come — and as surely it is a great and blessed thing for the Ameri- 
can people that the time should have come within ten short years only from 
the close of our deadly internecine conflict — when the voice of Virginia, ren- 
dering homage to this hero of duty, not because he died for Virginia simply, 
but because he died for what he believed to be his duty to Virginia, can find 
its way to the hearts of all Americans, and touch the sympathetic chord of 
a pure and patriotic pride in them all. The centennial year is drawing on 
apace, and it greatly behooves us to know each other as we really are in all 
sections of our common country — no longer darkly and through the veils of 
partisan or sectional passions — but plainly and face to face. As a contribu- 
tion of the highest value to such a knowledge, we commend to our readers, 
therefore, the oration delivered by the Rev. Dr. Hoge, of Richmond, at the 
unveiling of the statue of Stonewall Jackson, which will be found in our 
columns to-day. In this oration the very heart and soul, as we believe, of the 
Old Dominion, speaks to us all. It speaks simply, earnestly, honestly, and 
manfully. It is a voice which commands and deserves confidence. And what 
does it tell us ? 

It simply echoes to the true and loyal men of the North all that their own 
hearts have been telling them for ten years past. It tells us, speaking from 
the base of a statue before which we are sure no Virginian — no American, in- 
deed — can stand and speak untruly, that Virginia fully and frankly accepts 
the verdict of that arbitrament to which she herself appealed when she drew 
her sword and put it into Stonewall Jackson's unstained hand : that she 
dreams no dreams hostile to the greatness and the glory of the American 
Union : that she has but one absorbing prayer and purpose, so to do her duty 
as an American commonwealth, that the great vision of our fathers, who were 
her fathers also, may be made real and enduring, and these mighty States of 
ours, old and new. Northern and Southern, Eastern and Western, bo welded 
together "in one great fraternal, enduring Union, with one heart pulsating 
through the entire frame as the tides throb through the bosom of the sea." 



THE SPIEIT OF THE PRESS. 585 

Not less simply, not less plainly does Virginia, too, tell us how alone in her 
belief this prayer and this purpose can be crowned with answering success. 
She tells us that the American Union which she longs to see and to serve must 
be a union of States absolutely coequal, standing absolutely on one level, 
" with such a jealous regard for one another's rights, that when the interest 
and the honor of one are assailed, all the rest, feeling the wound, will kindle 
with just resentment at the outrage." What true American at the North, or 
at the West, would accept for himself or seek to impose upon his fellow-citi- 
zens of any other Commonwealth any other Union than this ? For what 
Union other than this did all the brave and enlightened among the soldiers 
of the Union lay down their lives in war ? What Virginia now asks by the 
lips of her mourners around the tomb of Stonewall Jackson, the loyal milliona 
of the North and of the West thundered forth as their determined will in ring- 
ing accents scarcely a year ago, when the janizaries of a corrupt party admin- 
istration undertook to trample out the life of local law and of local self-govern- 
ment in Louisiana. Our civil war was fought over the interpretation of a 
written Constitution, concerning the force of the text of which, as concerning 
the force of all texts that ever were or ever will be written by the hand of 
man, it is not in the power of man to secure unanimity of opinion. 

But while the letter killeth, the spirit giveth life ; and that spirit of fidelity 
to the principle of local self-government, of " home-rule," as our fathers in- 
herited it and died to preserve it, which breathes through the voice of Vir- 
ginia at the tomb of Stonewall Jackson, is the spirit, as we believe, of the 
vast majority of Americans throughout the Union to-day. It has survived 
all attacks upon the institutions to which it first gave birth. Ten years of 
centralization and of corruption have but served to make it Uvelier and more 
resolute in the hearts of the American people, for they have taught the Amer- 
ican people, as nothing else could have taught them, how vital it is to the 
very being of the republic. Let Virginia and the South, and the whole coun- 
try, take hope and heart. The night has been long, and dark, and dreary. 
But already the dawn is at hand ; the prayer of Stonewall Jackson will be 
heard and answered through quite other means than those of bloodshed and 
of battle; the American people of 18Y6, by God's blessing, will so order the 
political reconstruction of their country as most assuredly to transmit " to 
those that come after us all the freedom which we have enjoyed." 

From the Ne^c Yorlc Herald : 

The unveiling of the Jackson statue at Richmond yesterday was an ex- 
ceptional event in the history of any country, just as the remarkable sol- 
dier in whose honor it was dedicated was an exceptional man. Stonewall 
Jackson's military achievements were celebrated only as they were the ex- 



586 APPENDIX. 

empllfication of his virtues, and from the beginning to the end the scene 
was one which could take place only in the American Republic. 

From the Cincinnati Enquirer : 

In truth, the character of Stonewall Jackson lifts him above the narrow 
confines of State or even national limits. His military genius elevates him 
among the great soldiers of the world, among that select few who belong 
to the universal history of mankind. He was one of the few bom soldiers 
with whom the conduct of battles was an inspiration and whose prophetic 
eye always fixed upon the issue of a struggle as a certainty. Such men are 
too rare to be confined within the narrow pages of local history, too grand 
to be repressed by the weight of sectional hostility. They assert their 
rights to universal appreciation and honor. We are rapidly approaching 
the point when all of us, both North and South, can honor and respect a 
great name, no matter on which side it came to distinction. 

The leading newspapers of the country had full reports of the 
great occasion, and the comments of the Northern press were gen- 
erally kindly and often appreciative, while the Southern press boiled 
over with enthusiasm. 



The following telegrams and letters will be of interest : 

A. J. B. Beresford-Hope. October 27, 1875. 

Statue inaugurated. Assemblage large and enthusiasm unprecedented. 
Likeness surprisingly good. James L. Kemper. 

Governor. 

Delighted. Heartiest congratulations. Deeply regret absence. 

Beresford-Hope. 

To .Mrs. Thomm J. Jackson. Eichmond, Octoler 12, 1S75. 

Madam : The Council of the city of Richmond, by joint resolution, have 
invited you and your family to be present at the inauguration of Foley's statue 
of your illustrious husband. The occasion will be one of deep interest to you, 
and your presence will be most gratifying to the people of Richmond, who 
will esteem it an honor to entertain you as their guest. 

As the acting mayor of the city, it is my pleasing duty to communicate 
the invitation, and I beg leave to add my earnest hope that it will be agree- 
able to you to accept it. 

I am, with much respect, your obedient servant, 

John A. Meredith. 



TELEGRAPHIC CONGEATULATIONS. 687 

Charlotte, N. C, October 21, 18T5. 
Hon. John A. Meredith, Acting Mayor of the City of Richmond. 

Sir : I have had the honor of receiving from yourself and the Council of 
the city an invitation to myself and family to become guests of the city dur- 
'ing the inaugural ceremonies of Foley's statue of my husband, on the 2'7th 
instant, for which you will please accept my thanks. 

We had previously received and accepted an invitation to be guests of 
the Commonwealth from his Excellency Governor Kemper, and trust it may 
be our privilege to be present on the interesting occasion. 

I cannot express the gratitude I feel, not only for the gift to Virginia of 
such a tribute of Great Britain's veneration for my husband's memory, but 
also for the high appreciation Virginia has shown in receiving it with such 
distinguished honors. 

With great respect, I am, yours, very truly, 

M. Anna Jackson. 

Memphis, Tenn., October 14, 1875. 
Rev. J. William Jones, D. D., Secretary Southern Historical Society. 

My dear Sir : Your very gratifying letter of the 14th ultimo reached 
here during my absence, and this must excuse the delay in my reply. I truly 
regret my inability to be with you at your next annual meeting on the 27th 
instant, as at that date important business requires me to be in Vicksburg, 
Miss. The large concourse of " old Confederates " which you expect to be 
then assembled you have justly considered would be to me a great attraction, 
and the unveiling of the statue of our hero Jackson must give to the assem- 
bly a deep and tender interest. 

Admired and beloved as he is among us, the chivalric world regards him 
as not wholly our own. 

This is made apparent by the contribution of the statue you are about to 
unveil by our kindred in England. 

I could wish that our good friend the Honorable Beresford-Hope, to 
whom we are so much indebted for this statue, could be among Virginians 
and Confederate soldiers to witness the feeling of our people toward him 
whom he and his associates have so generously caused to be commemorated 
in bronze — material only less enduring than the virtuous fame of him who is 
typified. 

Please make my acknowledgments to the Executive Committee, and 
accept for yourself the best wishes of your sincere friend, 

Jefferson Davis. 



APPLETONS' 

^AMERICAN CYCLOPEDIA. 

NEW REVISED EDITION. 

Entirely rewritten by the ablest writers on every subject. Printed from new 
type, and illustrated with Several Thousand Engravings and Maps. 

The work originally published under the title of The New American Cyclopedia was com. 
pleted in 1863, since which time the wide circulation which it has attained in all parts of the United 
States, and the signal developments which have taken place in every branch of science, literature, 
and art, have induced the editors and publishers to submit it to an exact and thorough revision, and 
to issue a new edition entitled The American CvclopvEdia. 

Within the last ten years the progress of dbcovery in every department of knowledge has mad: 
a new work of reference an imperative want. 

The movement of political affairs has kept pace with the discoveries of science, and their fruitful 
application to the industrial and useful arts and the convenience and refinement of social life. Great 
wars and consequent revolutions have occurred, involving national changes of peculiar moment. 
The civil war of our own country, which was at its height when the last volume of the old work 
appeared, has happily been ended, and a new course of commercial and industrial activity has been 
commenced. 

Large accessions to our geographical knowledge have been made by the indefatigable explorers 
of Africa. 

The great political revolutions of the last decade, with the natural result of the lapse of time, 
have brought into public view a multitude of new men, whose names are in every one's mouth, and 
of whose lives every one is curious to know the particulars. Great battles have been fought and 
important sieges maintained, of which the details are as yet preserved only in the newspapers or in 
the transient publications of the day, but which ought now to take their place in permanent and 
authentic history. 

In preparing the present edition for the press, it has accordingly been the aim of the editors to 
bring down the information to the latest possible dates, and to furnish an accurate account of the 
most recent discoveries in science, of every fresh production in literature, and the newest inventions 
in the practical arts, as well as to give a succinct and original record of the progress of political and 
historical events. 

The work has been begun after long and careful preliminary labor, and with the most ample 
resources for carrying it on to a successful termination. 

None of the original stereotype plates have been used, but every page has been printed on new 
type, forming in fact a new Cyclopsedia, with the same plan and compass as its predecessor, but 
with a far greater pecuniary expenditure, and with such improvements in its composition as have 
been suggested by longer experience and enlarged knowledge. 

The illustrations, which are introduced for the first time in the present edition, have been added 
not for the sake of pictorial effect, but to give greater lucidity and force to the explanations in the 
text. They embrace all branches of science and of natural history, and depict the most famous and 
remarkable features of scenery, architecture, and art, as well as the various processes of mechanics 
and manufactures. Although intended for instruction rather than embellishment, no pains have 
been spared to insure their artistic excellence ; the cost of their execution is enormous, and it is be- 
lieved they will find a welcome reception as an admirable feature of the Cyclopaedia, and worthy of 
its high character. 

This work is sold to subscribers only, payable on delivery of each volume. It will be completed 
in sixteen large octavo volumes, each containing about 800 pages, fully illustrated with several 
thousand Wood Engravings, and with numerous colored Lithographic Maps. 

Price and Style of Binding. 

In extra ciotn, per vol. . . . $5.00 I In half russia, extra gilt, per vol. . $8.00 

In library leather, per vol. . . . 6.00 In full morocco antique, gilt edges, per vol. 10.00 

In half turkey morocco, per vol. . 7.00 | In full russia, per voL . . . 10.00 

Twelve volumes now ready. Succeeding volumes, until completion, will be issued once in two 
months. 

*,* Specimen pages of the American Cyclopedia, showing type, illustrations, etc., will be sen! 
gratis, on application. 

D. Appleton & Co., Publishers, 549 & 551 Broadway, N. Y. 



THE 

Popular Science Monthly. 

PflWislied in a large octavo, Mndsoiely Drlnlei on clear \m, 

AND, WHEN THE SUBJECTS ADMIT, 

Each Number contains 128 pages. 

Conducted hy PROFESSOR E. L. YOTJMANS. 

TEItMS, $5.00 per Annum, or 50 Cents iter Nutnher. 

The Popular Science Monthly was started to promote the diffusion of val- 
uable scientific knowledge in a readable and attractive form among all classes of 
the community. It has met with unexampled success, and it is universally ad- 
mitted that its plan has been faithfully carried out, and that it meets a want sup- 
plied by no other periodical in the United States. 

It contains instructive and attractive articles, and abstracts of articles, original, 
selected, translated, and illustrated, from the leading scientific men of diflerent 
countries, giving the latest interpretations of natural phenomena, explaining the 
applications of science to the practical arts, and to the operations of domestic life. 
It will also contain accounts of all the new scientific discoveries, and its pages 
will form a complete record of the progress of the age. 

It is designed to give especial prominence to those branches of science which 
help to a better understanding of the nature of man ; to present the claims of 
scientific education ; and the bearings of science upon questions of society and 
government. How the various subjects of current opinion are affected by the ad- 
vance of scientific inquiry will also be considered. 

In its literary character, this periodical aims to be popular, without being super- 
ficial, and appeals to the intelligent reading-classes of the community. It seeks to 
procure authentic statements from men who know their subjects, and who will ad- 
dress the non-scientific public for purposes of exposition and explanation. 

The Popular Science Monthly is the organ of no sect, party, or school, but 
will be devoted to the broad interests of advancing knowledge, as it is expounded 
by the eminent thinkers of England, France, Germany, and the United States, each 
writer being responsible for his own views. 

OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 

"Just the puhlication needed at the present day. "—.1/on^reff/ GazetU. 

"It is, beyond comparison, the best attempt at journalism of the kind ever made in this 
country."— //ci7rte Jmirnal. 

"The initial number is admirably constituted."— 75'r«ning' Mail. 

" In our opinion, the right idea has been happily hit in the plan of this new monthly." 
Buffalo Cunrier. 

"A journal which promises to be of eminent value to the cause of popular education in 
this country."— iV^. Y. Tribune. 

IMP OR TA N T TO CL UBS, 

The Popular Science Monthly will be supplied at reduced rates with any pe- 
riodical published in this country or Europe. 

Payment, in all cases, must be in advance, 

D. APPLETON & CO., 

549 & 551 Broadway, New York. 



GENERAL JOSEPH E. JOHNSTONS CAMPAIGNS. 



GENERAL JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON'S 

Narrative of Military Operations 

Directed by him during the late War between the States. 

This work is the first authentic contribution, from a Southern military 
Bource, of material for the future historian, and is written in the terse, 
incisive, and vivid style, for which its eminent author is so justly re- 
nowned. 

The correspondence between General Johnston and the late Confeder- 
ate Government lifts the curtain on much that perplexed the understand- 
ing of people Forth and South during the progress of this struggle. 



Letter from General Sliernnan. 

DQXJAETEES ArMT OF TI 

Waseungton, D. C, October 31, 1S73. 



Headquarters Army of the United States, I 



Messrs. D. Appleton & Co., 

549 Broadway, New York: 
Deab Sirs: I have your favor of the 30th, repeating what j''OU said to tne in person yesterday, 
that you have for publication the manuscript of General Johnstoa's " Narrative of the Military 
Operations directed by him during the late War between the States." 

Without the least hesitation I advise its Immediate publication, for I believe it will have a most 
extensive sale at the North, as well as the South, and even in Europe. 

General Johnston is most favorably known to the miUtary world, and is regarded by many as 
the most skillful general on the Southern side. He is also ready with his pen, and whatever ho 
records will receive the closest attention by students of the art of war on this continent, and will 
enter largely into the future Military History of the Civil War. 

With great respect, your obedient servant, 

W. T. SHERMAN, General 

From the iV. Y. Times, October 29th. 

We are glad to learn that a leading publisher of New York has in hand and will soon issue a 
work on the civil war of something more than ephemeral interest This is a careful and deliberate 
account from the pen of General Joseph E. Johnston, of the Confederate Army, of the events which 
preceded his removal from the command of the Southern forces operating against General Sherman 
in Tennessee and Northern Georgia. Military men have long been aware of the decisive efect of 
that removal in favor of General Sherman and the Union cause. It was the personal act of Jefferson 
Davis, resolved upon and carried out by him in defiance of the counsel and in contempt of the 
remonstrances of the ablest soldiers in the Southern army ; and, as General Johnston can have no 
motive now for withholding the whole truth in regard to the matter, the story he has to tell will 
have a real value for the political as well as for the military history of the great American conflict. 



The book is printed on good paper, in clear, large type, and illustrated 
with maps, portraits, etc., etc., the whole making a volume of about 600 
pages. 

Frioe, in Cloth Binding, $5.00; Leather, $6.00; Half Torkey Morocco, $7.50. 



NEW YORK- D. APPLETON & CO., Publishers, 

B49 & 551 BROADWAY. 



ffleiDoirs of deiieral Williai T. Skrniai, 

WRITTEN BY HIMSELF. 

Complete in two volumes. Small %vo, 400 pages each. Price in blue cloth, $5. 50 ; 
sheep, $7.00; half turkey, %Z. so; /nil turkey, $12.00. 



From the Richmond Whig. 
" He writes well. His style is terse, pointed, and incisive. He expresses his opin- 
ions of men and things with independence and freedom." 

From the Boston Post. 
"The book written by General Sherman is as striking a record of military experi- 
ence as the modern world has ever read. It is rare that a great commander is a good 
writer, the same hand not often being gifted with the capacity to hold the sword and 
the pen with equal skill." 

Frotn the Springfield Union. 
"General Sherman's style becomes picturesque and vivid in treating of the march 
to the sea, which, indeed, has been seized upon by all our writers as the most romantic 
passage of the war." 

From the Philadelphia Daily Telegraph. 
"With a few exceptions, the book is remarkably temperate, and it is an eminently 
readable and most interesting narrative of a brilliant military career.' 

From the Saturday Evening Gazette. 
"We recognize him as one of the brilliant soldiers of his era, and as a man to whom 
his country is very largely indebted for what he now informs us was the conception, as 
well as the carrying out, of one of the master-strokes of the war." 

From the N. Y. Herald. 
" Sherman shows that he can wield the pen as well as the sword. His style is as 
much his own as that of Ca;sar or Napoleon. It is a winning style. We see a gifted 
man telling his life in a plain, prtlcss fashion, but with trenchant rhetoric." 

Frotn the Tribune. 

"Of the events of the Civil War, in which he has won his illustrious fame, he has 
given a singularly lucid and instructive description ; his strictures on military affairs 
are judicious and weighty ; but to many readers his portraitures of scenes and inci- 
dents of less wide-spread publicity, revealing by side-glances the traits of a powerful 
and, in some sense, a unique personal character, will prove the most interesting por- 
tions of the work." 

From the N. V. Times. 

" These memoirs are by far the most interesting and important contribution yet 
made to the military history of the rebellion by any of the leading actors in the great 
struggle. The personal history of so marked a man must always possess extraordinary 
interest. When it is related by the man himself, and in that peculiarly racy style 
which General Sherman's letters and speeches have made familiar to the public, it not 
only becomes absorbing but fascinating." 

From the Evening Post. 
" General Sherman has told his story with the most entire unreserve, and the story 
is one which Americans will be proud to read. We cannot help a feeling of satisfac- 
tion in being of the same race and the same country with such a man. We have here 
the picture of a person resolute yet cautious, bold yet prudent, confident yet modest 
— a man of action to his finger-ends, yet withal something of a poet; we sec all through 
the book the evidences of a chivalrous mind and of an intellect of singular force and 
precision." 

D. APrLETON &^ CO., rublishns, 549 ^ t^'^i Broadway, N. Y. 



# 














><^^ ^ 



>-°'-<j 



■•t. v 



f% -.^p/ /'% 'WWS ^^ -^^ '-.^ 



.0^ 



.:^' 






^-./ .'^". %,# .-aife'-, ■*^^„./ '-^Va'. >-« 



..^*' o. 



